Trying to efile, software stuck in a loop

[Mary TH]

I am trying to efile for my deceased parents. Software asked for a pin # for my Father, but not for my Mother. (Under "Sign your return") Then it goes to the screen under "Review your filing choices" that says "Signature e-filing date of birth pin needed". When I click on that, it take me back to the "Sign your return" screen that only has an option to enter my Father's information. Back and forth. I can't figure out how to get out of this to complete the efile.

Thank you.

[AmyC]

Did you: 

• mark that both are deceased? In the personal section, when entering birthday, etc the program asks if the  person passed away, drop down, enter the date
• mark how you are legally allowed to file this return? you need to mark that you are the personal representative, court appointed, etc.  Depending on what you are, you have different forms and filings that may need to be mailed in after filing or with filing. When you went through the federal review, the program asks, Who is the In Care of Representative unless you are filing Form 1310.

The IRS has a quick  How Do I File a Deceased Person program. It is very detailed and may give you additional information. Caution: There may be a requirement to file an estate tax return. For additional assistance, please refer to Publication 559, Survivors, Executors, and Administrators

I am very sorry for your loss.

[Mary TH]

Yes, I marked that both were deceased, and I double-checked that the dates were correct. I marked that I was the personal representative. I doubt that is the issue. There is a place to enter my dad's pin and dob, but not mom's. The next page says "you need to enter pin and dob" but there is no place to enter Mom's pin or date of birth. The two pages just keep going back and forth and I can go no further.

[AmyC]

I would like to take a deeper look at this. However, I need a diagnostic file which is a copy of your tax return that has all of your personal information removed. You can send one to us by following the  directions below:

TurboTax Online:

Sign into your online account.

Locate the Tax Tools on the left-hand side of the screen. 

A drop-down will appear. Select Tools  

On the pop-up screen, click on “Share my file with agent.”

This will generate a message that a diagnostic file gets sanitized and transmitted to us.

Please provide the Token Number that was generated in the response.

TurboTax Desktop/Download Versions:

Open your return.

Click the Online tab in the black bar across the top of TurboTax and select “Send Tax File to Agent”

This will generate a message that a diagnostic copy will be created.  Click on OK and the tax file will be sanitized and transmitted to us.

Please provide the Token Number that was generated in the response.  

[Mary TH]

Thank you. Token # 1079772

[AmyC · Accepted solution]

Thank you. It took some digging as your situation is unusual. The IRS expects the surviving spouse to file the tax return when one partner passes away. When a single person passes, they expect a representative. The system is just not set up to handle your situation for a representative with both having passed.

Unfortunately, you will need to mail both the federal and state. I suggest you use tracking to ensure their safe arrival.

IRS says:

For paper returns, the filer should write the word deceased, the deceased person's name and the date of death across the top. Here's who should sign the return:

• Any appointed representative must sign the return. If it's a joint return, the surviving spouse must also sign it.
• If there isn't an appointed representative, the surviving spouse filing a joint return should sign the return and write in the signature area labeled, filing as surviving spouse.
• If there's no appointed representative and no surviving spouse, the person in charge of the deceased person's property must file and sign the return as "personal representative."

Other documents to include

• Court-appointed representatives should attach a copy of the court document showing their appointment.
• Representatives who aren't court-appointed must include Form 1310, Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer to claim any refund. Surviving spouses and court-appointed representatives don't need to complete this form.
• The IRS doesn't need a copy of the death certificate or other proof of death.

I am very sorry for your loss.

[Mary TH]

Thanks, I think. 😉 At least I know now I wasn't making mistakes on my end. Appreciate all your time and effort.

[Mary TH]

Amy, I DID manage to finally find a "work around" by going to the actual information sheet and manually typing in a pin for my mother. By magic, that worked and I was able to efile their return.