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?

[macuser_22]

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@dianalarose wrote:

<<<Then of course you will have to figure out what to do with the paper check that can only be endorsed by one person.

Simple solution: go to an ATM instread of a human bank teller. I received several checks that were either to me and my deceased husband or just to him. The money was legally mine, so I signed my name on the back, deposited in an ATM, and never had any trouble. 

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I have not endorsed a check in years with my name.  I write on the back endorsement "For Deposit Only to account xxxxxxxx" which is exactally what an bank stamp says - goes right through and tellers take it without question.   I do that on IRS joint refund checks also - never a problem.

[eerickso1464]

Assume you mean December 24, 2021, correct? But yes, you can file a joint return for 2021. 

[dianalarose]

Here we go again, the bug that TT refuses to fix or even acknowledge. Year after year.

In this situation TT incorrectly submits your AGI to the IRS, which results in a rejection.

If you are determined to use TT, then yes, you must file a paper copy and wait until late spring or summer to get your refund.

HR Block has the same bug. FreeTaxUSA does not. I used the latter after my TT return was rejected, and my return was accepted within minutes.

Some people have had luck entering 0 for the AGI, but many, including me, have just had to switch to another program.

[eerickso1464]

In my case, it let me e-file once I switched my name to appear as the first filer and moved my late husband‘s name to secondary. 

[LinTyg]

I want to file as usual online.  My husband died Oct. 2021.  Do I put has info on as usual as he had retirement and SS plus investments.

[DoninGA]

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@ LinTyg wrote:

I want to file as usual online.  My husband died Oct. 2021.  Do I put has info on as usual as he had retirement and SS plus investments.

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Yes, you would his information as you normally would.  There will be a section to indicate that he passed away and the date of his passing.  For tax year 2021 you can file your tax return as Married Filing Jointly.

[Ta45]

It was my wife she did taxes now I'm trying to file help please

[VolvoGirl]

@Ta45   So sorry she passed.  When?  Where are you stuck? On the AGI to efile?  Or how to enter something?  

[dianalarose]

Here's what to do. Go here, fill in the same info, and click to efile. Your return will be accepted in minutes.
FreeTaxUSA® FREE Tax Filing, Online Return Preparation, E-file Income Taxes

In your situation, TurboTax will submit the AGI to the IRS incorrectly and the IRS will reject your return. TT isn't acknowledging the error; they'll tell you to file a paper return. Frick that.

I do not work for FreeTaxUSA, but many on this forum discovered the TT "AGI bug" and painlessly made the switch to FT USA. Other programs may work, too. But don't go with HR Block; they have the same bug.

[Jack_N_Atlanta]

A hack.  Thank you.  I actually did file by paper (given the pandemic extension last year, then the extension for it not being accepted, I thought certified mail was appropriate).  And... that seemed to finally get the 2019 return in Utah resolved (and paid) as well as the 2020 return.  A flurry of mail arrived at my house about 2 weeks after the IRS payment was in the bank.  And it also freed up the $1400 payment as well.  Now if I can get the state of Georgia department of revenue to stop sending checks to both names.  The IRS, sent the check with "DECEASED" after the 2nd name.  I've deposited 2-person checks by endorsing my husbands name with "deceased" after it and BOA seems to take it.  I always file by mail if I'm sending a check.

I would never, ever, go to HR Block, unless I was an ex-pat on international assignment and the company was paying for it--even then I'd check their work.

[dianalarose]

Hey Jack, that sounds like a huge hassle that my own frenzied brain would not be able to handle. Couple of things:

1. I hear nightmarish tales about how long the IRS is taking to process paper returns, if they're even bothering anymore. Just sayin'.

2. If I get checks for me and my deceased husband, or just for him, I sign my name on the back and deposit it at an ATM into my own individual account. I've NEVER had a problem with this, never had the bank contact me and complain about depositing a joint check into an individual account. Banks don't have the time to inspect each sig and compare them to the names on the checks. 

Best of luck with your tax return!

[Shellzacct]

Thought I would update since still dealing with this SAGA. 2019 tax return: It's been 2+ years since filed paper return and still haven't gotten refund. (countless calls to IRS and always some problem where it has to go to another department. "glitch", "overloaded" are some reasons given if any.  Most recent issue is that there was a "space" manually entered by IRS on her name that's holding it up and will take up to 4 weeks to fix. 2020 had to be filed by paper since Turbo tax says that the prior year AGI is incorrect again. 6 months later still not showing as being received. The IRS is so overloaded. Wanted to update anyone reading these- try to file electronically ANY way you can.

[henry8350]

My husband died in 2019 .  Could not e-file my 2020 taxes.  Now I am  getting rejected on 2021 taxes.  This is an AGI problem.

[DoninGA]

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@henry8350 wrote:

My husband died in 2019 .  Could not e-file my 2020 taxes.  Now I am  getting rejected on 2021 taxes.  This is an AGI problem.

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Enter a 0 (zero) for the 2020 AGI and e-file the 2021 tax return again.

You should be filing your 2021 tax return as Single if you have not remarried and have no dependents.

[spirit701]

My husband died last February. We always filed separately, I filed us together and it was rejected. Should I file separately and mail it or will a 1310 help to get it accepted.