"My parends both died in 2017 their gross income including SS, dividend income, capital gain distributions and LT Capital Gain income does not equal or exceed $23,300 so I believe they have no filing requirement. Do I need to file a final return for them regardless?"
When you figure their income, you have to add the interest, dividends and capital gains from investments to the total gross income. If the number is over $23,000 with ALL of their income added, then you need to file a joint final return. Be sure to mark that they passed away in the special circumstances area of the personal section.
If their income including the dividend, capital gains, etc. is not more then $23,000 then you do not have to file although many people do file a final return to notify the IRS that the social security name should no longer be used.
When you figure their income, you have to add the interest, dividends and capital gains from investments to the total gross income. If the number is over $23,000 with ALL of their income added, then you need to file a joint final return. Be sure to mark that they passed away in the special circumstances area of the personal section.
If their income including the dividend, capital gains, etc. is not more then $23,000 then you do not have to file although many people do file a final return to notify the IRS that the social security name should no longer be used.