PA State tax filing for deceased person

[confused65]

Hello I am working on the State tax portion of a final return for a deceased person. Whn I choose the Yes, this is the final PA return I am filing and mark the reason as deceased I get the following response: "Pennsylvania does not allow a final return when there is a deceased taxpayer."

What am I supposed to do for the PA State taxes?

[ErnieS0]

Leave the "final return" box unchecked. The final box is not for deceased persons. It is for people who permanently moved away and will not have any Pennsylvania taxable income or loss in the year 2021. They will not receive a 2021 tax booklet.

If you told TurboTax that taxpayer died, the "D" (deceased code) will show up on PA-40 along with the date of death.

[taxdog627]

I am having the same problem but it wont let me file a joint return when the primary tax payer is deceased.  it says i should create a "mock" return as if single, then complete the PA and to do this for each person.  There must be an easier way! plus you only get 5 returns and I am already at 4

[LenaH]

As posted by @ErnieS0, in order to file a joint Pennsylvania tax return as a surviving spouse, you have to put yourself first on the tax return and your deceased spouse second.

To do so, please go back to Personal Info, edit your spouse and replace their information with yours. Then edit your info and replace it with theirs.

Please note that you may have to change the ownership of any W-2s, 1099s and other forms in your return so they match the new order. Once you switch the order in personal info everything else will be reversed.

Can a PA resident widow file jointly for year spouse died?

@taxdog627

[PPB]

When I tried changing from my spouse to my name in Personal Info (interview) it kept my husband's name at the bottom of screen and asked me if 'Ray' had lived in another state in 2021 (yes/no) Pennsylvania. 

??

[Same issue when I got to change my name to his name]

[ErnieS0]

It's tricky to reserve spouse names in TurboTax @PPB.

Try this. First change you marital status to single. That will temporarily remove the second listed name and allow you to change the first listed name.

1. Tap Edit next to Married Filing Jointly
2. Select Single on Let's confirm your marital status
3. Continue until you return to Personal info summery
4. Tap Edit next to your husband's name and change all the information to you
5. Edit Single and change to Married
6. Fill in your husband's info

[dalewmoore]

The reply by "Expert "  ErnieS0

states

   Leave the "final return" box unchecked. The final box is not for deceased persons. 

This does not seem to be in agreement with the Pennsylvania Dept of Revenue at

https://www.revenue.pa.gov/FormsandPublications/PAPersonalIncomeTaxGuide/Pages/Brief-Overview-Filing...

That official expert page says

   A final return must also be filed for a deceased taxpayer.

It appears that TurboTax 2023 likes to report

  About filing for a Deceased Taxpayer

    Pennsylvania does not allow a final return when there is a deceased taxpayer.

It appears to me that TurboTax 2023 is directly contradicting the Pennsylvania Dept of Revenue Web site.

I suspect that this needs better wording, review, or some sort of attention.

[DianeW777]

It depends.  If a married couple, with one spouse deceased in 2023, files jointly (and they are allowed to do that), then you would not use the filing status of 'D'.  Only if the deceased is filing separately would that filing status be used.

This is a thread from 2 and 3 years ago.  You should begin a new thread with your question for the most current information that directly relates to your situation.

@dalewmoore 

[carl78]

How does surviving spouse file in PA. I tried Married filing separately, but it does not let me have two separate forms.

[DianeW777]

It depends, if you meet the requirements you can file jointly. Below are the rules for filing status in Pennsylvania for your situation.

For tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2013, a joint return may be filed with the final return of a decedent under several circumstances.

• Joint Return with Personal Representative
  A surviving spouse may file a joint return with the final return of the deceased spouse with the decedent's personal representative if:
  • A joint return could have been filed if both spouses had survived for the entire taxable year; and
  • The decedent did not have a return filed for the tax year.
• Joint Return with no Personal Representative
  A surviving spouse may file a joint return with the final return of the deceased spouse, and sign the return for both spouses, without a personal representative if:
  • A Joint return could have been filed if both spouses had survived the entire taxable year;
  • The decedent did not have a return filed for the tax year; and
  • A personal representative has not been appointed for the decedent by the time the joint return is filed.

If you find you are unable to file jointly, use the link below to see how to file a separate return for your deceased spouse.  I send my sympathies to you and your family.

• How do I prepare a joint federal return and separate state returns?

@carl78