I filed my father's 2017 taxes before he passed away. He has a refund coming. What happens to that refund?

[bjfleming712]

His refund goes into his bank account on which I am only a signer. How do I access his money to pay his bills?

[PaulaM · Accepted solution]

I am sorry for the passing of your father.

I'm not sure if your asking how do you claim his refund or how to access his funds in his bank account.

If you filed your father's taxes and he was due a refund then either a check will be mailed or direct deposited if you chose that option. 

The IRS has Form 1310 that you complete to claim the refund of a deceased taxpayer. If you need access to his bank account, then a court appoints you or someone else as his personal representative. You will have to investigate this process in your local area.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1310.pdf