Fiduciary Returns for estate open for more than 1 year

[jro83]

I am the administrator of my father's estate.  He passed away in October 2023 and I obtained an FEIN with a fiscal year that ended 9/30/24.  

Due to some real-estate that I am trying to sell, the estate is still open, but closing for the sale of the real-estate now look like it will be in November.

My question is: I have filed the returns for the fiscal year ended 9/30/24.  If the real-estate transaction closes in November, can I file the final return on a 2023 1041 before the 2025, or do I have to wait until 2025 and file using the 2024 Form 1041?

Thanks

[tagteam]

You can file a short year return (which is essentially a fiscal year return); it could begin October 1st and end December 31st (or November).

However, did you actually file the return for the fiscal year ended 9/30/24 already? If not, you might be able to start the fiscal year later if the estate did not immediately have income.

I am sorry for your loss.

[jro83]

Thanks for your reply - I understand for the final return it can be a short-year.  My question really is if I file a short year for 10/01/23 - 11/30/23 can I do it using TurboTax Business 2023 on a 2023 1041 or do I have to wait for the version that can produce a 2024 1041?

Thanks again!

[tagteam]

@jro83 

You can (and should) use the 2023 software (see screenshot below). 

However, note that you will not be able to e-file this return in TurboTax if you e-filed the previous 1041.

[jro83]

Thanks that is great.