Deceased Taxpayer

[Txwood]

The primary taxpayer passed away in 2020. Should the surviving spouse file a joint return with the deceased as the primary taxpayer (as they did last year) or file a joint return in their name as the primary taxpayer.

[KrisD15 · Accepted solution]

I suggest the surviving spouse file in the same manner as years past to make things easier. If you switch things up, the PIN or 2019 AGI needed to e-file will be rejected. 

Also be aware that if the full stimulus payments were not received, the taxpayer that passed in 2020 will still show an eligibility for the Recovery Rebate Credit (if the other requirements are met as well) and the surviving spouse will get that credit. 

[pamhunt76]

I got the AGI issue, and IRS rejected my tax return even though I filed the same way we've done in the past years.  Also, when I tried to file by mail, it wouldn't let me do that because I don't have an id for my deceased husband.  Any suggestions

[CarissaM]

You can try to put 0 as your AGI in order to e-file. For more information on your AGI please click here @pamhunt76

[pamhunt76]

I'll  try it and see if that works

[kz4207]

father in law passed away on 3/13/2021.  how do i sign his 2020 return?  I will pay what is owed

[macuser_22]

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@kz4207 wrote:

father in law passed away on 3/13/2021.  how do i sign his 2020 return?  I will pay what is owed

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If you are his personal representative, you sign with your name "personal representative for" and the deceased name.

Suggest that you read IRS Pub 559 (Survivors, Executors, and Administrators) for a lot of good information about filing and signing the final return and estate return and other requirements.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p559.pdf

[pamhunt76]

It took 5 times for me to figure out that because my father had passed away in Oct, I should put my mother as the first person listed and my dad as second person.  On joint accounts the first person listed is the social security number that goes forward to the IRS.  I really think Turbotax should have an alert, to let people know to change who is listed first.  This was very frustrating, and I noticed I did not get that answer from the Turbotax helpers......I shouldn't have to figure that out myself, its an obvious fix they could add to their tool.