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Level 2
posted Apr 9, 2025 1:08:59 PM

Deceased Final Return

I am filing a deceased return for my mother-in-law.  She passed away in 2023.  She got a federal refund in 2024.  That was her only income.  Is a federal return required in this case?  They were told of her passing on the 2023 return.  I assume I need to tell my state (SC) of the federal refund, is that true?  I am trying to do this by completing the Turbo Tax Federal Return (zero due) and let it flow the state.  However, I have a problem.  Although I tell Turbo Tax in the personal details section that she passed away in 2023, the Error Check says her passing can't be before 2024.  How do I fix this?  So...three questions: 1) is a federal return required, 2) do I need to do a state return (SC) [I assume so] and 3) how do I pass the error check that isn't passing but is giving me a error that says essentially "the deceased date can't be before 2024."

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1 Replies
Employee Tax Expert
Apr 9, 2025 1:15:09 PM

1 and 2. - She can't file a personal tax return because she wasn't alive for any part of 2024.

 

3.  You can't.

 

The only income was a federal tax refund that is not taxable income.  There would be no reason to file a tax return for this even if she had been alive in 2024.

 

Sorry for your loss.

 

@sewardje2