Tax Year Prior to 2020: My husband died last year. My return keeps getting rejected with a AGI erro. The amount listed is correct. Are paper returns required the year after a spouse died?

[Irene2805]

I'm sorry for your loss! 

While a paper return is not required the year after a spouse dies, it usually turns out that way.  Either the IRS doesn't recognize the AGI from the previous year, or Social Security Administration freezes the deceased person's SSN.

You should print and mail in the return.

[rdh]

I am having the same issue.  My wife died in March of 2019.  I completed my return and followed TurboTax's instructions to efile.  However, my return was rejected twice with an AGI error for identifying my wife.  I am going to file by mail; however, IRS.gov says we should be able to efile.  The software should flag this issue for those in this situation.  Also, there is something on TurboTax website about a form 1310.  Does this form help?

[DeanM15]

You may want to consider getting an IRS Transcript to see what they have for your AGI. 

I am sorry for your loss.

You can use the IRS Get Transcript tool. Try the online option first. If you are unable to obtain the transcript online, you can have one sent to the address the IRS has on record for you. You can find IRS Get Transcript here.

Form 1310, Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer, is not required in your case and would not do you any good.

From Form 1310 and instructions:

"If you are claiming a refund on behalf of a deceased taxpayer, you must file Form 1310 unless either of the following applies.

• You are a surviving spouse filing an original or amended joint return with the decedent.
• You are a personal representative (defined on this page) filing an original Form 1040, 1040-SR, 1040A, 1040EZ, or 1040NR (1040-NR beginning in 2019) for the decedent and a court certificate showing your appointment is attached to the return."

[rdh]

Got my transcript and it matched the AGI I was trying to e-file.  I guess the Social Security administration is freezing it.  I will probably file by mail.

[Dallascowboysfan2]

Then you lose your $19.95 filing fee you already paid for.  Great.

[rdh]

Yep.  Mailed all of my returns.  Actually talked with the IRS for 30 minutes (not easy to get through to a live person).  He stated I should be able to efile and the AGI I had was correct.  No other items he could see should have caused the "SpouseAGIamt" error.  Makes me feel a little better because he didn't see anything like someone else already filed, etc.  Talked with SSA agent also.  He knew of nothing they do to cause the problem (however, still doesn't mean that it wasn't something to do with the SSN). Been filing with Turbotax CD version for years (efiling joint) and never had this problem.  Should have worked. Didn't want to try another tax software or online version.  So if I figure it out, I'll update.

[screenerbabe]

Same. Been a frustrating year with dang companies not wanting to give me the money that is rightfully mine. My husband would have said "It's the family curse."

[LindaB1993]

I have EFILED a decedent's return successfully.  The Prior AGI should be the same number for both taxpayers if filing a joint return.  Also, make sure the date of death matches the social security records.

[ray_crites]

Here is a link for mailing instructions.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/printing/help/how-do-i-print-and-mail-my-return-in-turbotax-online...

[dac0615]

So what happens to the $19.95 you paid to do the e-file?

[WKins2]

If you have paid for services that you no longer are needing, you can contact customer support and speak to a billing specialist. Click here: https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-contact-turbotax/00/26991

[jpdmjohnson]

Same issue! Turbo Tax needs to post they are unable to successfully process returns that have deceased spouse attributes.

[ThomasM125]

I'm sorry you are having trouble with this. TurboTax is designed to allow you to complete your tax return in a format specified by the IRS. However, we cannot compel the IRS to accept the return. 

As @rdh mentioned, everything on her return was correct, per the conversations she had with the IRS and social security administration. They informed her that the return should have been accepted by the IRS as e-filed.

TurboTax is following IRS guidelines in the preparation of the return. It should be accepted by the IRS, so TurboTax should not be held responsible, as it is the fault of the IRS that the return is being rejected.

[Jo36]

I have had the same problem.  I did my return twice -- once with my husband's name first and then with my name first.  I know I have the correct AGI.  It has been rejected four times.  I will probably mail the one with my name first since I live in Pennsylvania and they require separate returns if the deceased person's name is first on the federal form.  I have used Turbo Tax for over 13 years, and have never had an issue, but this year has been especially difficult!