Filing taxes if hospitalized

[cathysantan]

My father is currently hospitalized.  What do I do about filing his Federal and State taxes?

[xmasbaby0]

You could get him an extension which would give him until October 15 to file.   An extension does not give extra time to pay tax due but it gives extra time to get your documents together and prepare the tax forms.   Does he expect to owe for 2021?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/extensions/help/how-do-i-file-an-irs-extension-form-4868-in-turbot...

If he is getting a refund or will not owe there is no penalty for filing past the deadline.

[cathysantan]

Hello,

Thank you for your response.  Unfortunately, I don't know if he will owe taxes or expects a refund.  He is not conscious to ask.  He has not had a chance to even start his taxes.

[xmasbaby0]

Oh dear---so sorry.   You are in a tough spot.   If you can find his papers from past tax returns you might be able to guess whether he owed tax due or got a refund last year.   Or....do you know what kind(s) of income he has had for 2021?   You have not mentioned his age.....If his only income is Social Security he is not even required to file a tax return.   We cannot guess his circumstances or suggest where you should look for his financial records--maybe you are going to have to do some poking around to see if you can find information on his finances.

[fanfare]

do you have access to his tax documents and other tax related records?

Penalaties for filing late can be waived for reasonable reasons, such as hospitalization.

[cathysantan]

My dad is 81 and collects social security but he also has investments.  I found a folder that he must have put together for filing his taxes.  Do I just try to input the information that I have and submit that and when he is better, he can submit an updated return?  Am I able to submit a return for him?

[xmasbaby0]

That is not a terrible idea.....do some more digging to see if there is anything else.....only you can be the judge of whether your father will be upset that you went through his stuff or whether he will thank you later for taking care of things for him while he was ill.    You can try putting the information you can find into the tax software and see how it looks......look for 1099R's (for retirement accounts like pensions, IRA's, 401k etc.) , 1099B's (stocks, etc.) , his SSA1099 (for Social Security)

[cathysantan]

Thank you,  I really appreciate your advice.  I will try to start his taxes for him and submit what I can find.  I know he won't mind me digging around his things in order to help him.

[cathysantan]

Level 15,

Thank you.  I will see what documents I have for him and try to file his taxes.

[xmasbaby0]

Best of luck to you.   Hope your dad recovers.   It is so stressful to have a loved in the hospital and to have all the other stuff to deal with at the same time.    

[cathysantan]

Thank you for your previous response.  My dad passed away last weekend.  I entered all his information into TurboTax and I see that he will owe for both Federal and State.  I see how to file an extension for his Federal return but not for the state return.  I went through the process of requesting an extension, only the Federal form is processed.  I don't see how to apply for an extension for his New Jersey return.  Any idea how I request an extension for his New Jersey tax return?

[Jon-the-taxpayer]

Really sorry about the loss of your father.

Here is a link that explains how to file for an extension for New Jersey.  It looks pretty simple.  https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/njit17.shtml#:~:text=File%20Form%20NJ%2D630%20to,and%20mai.... 

Best wishes,

[MayaD]

New Jersey tax extension can be obtained by first filing a Federal tax extension (IRS Form 4868). If you have a valid Federal extension, you will automatically be granted a New Jersey extension. You must attach a copy of your Federal extension to your New Jersey tax return when it's filed.

For more information please check NJ Division of Taxation