Filing the Final Tax Return: Tips Every Executor Should Know

April 15, 2026

When April rolls around, one of the big stressors on people’s minds is Tax Season. If you’ve found yourself responsible for filing taxes for a deceased loved one, chances are no one handed you a playbook. Beyond the basics, there are several things most executors don’t realize until they’re already in the thick of it. At Sunny Care Services, we help families work with the IRS. We’d included some practical tricks for making your interactions with the IRS a lot less painful.

Things Most People Don’t Realize They Need to Do

The estate needs its own tax ID number.

Once your loved one passes, their Social Security Number is no longer used for income the estate earns going forward. You’ll need to apply for a separate Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the estate. You can apply online at IRS.gov and receive it immediately at no cost. Talk to your attorney first to make sure you understand how an EIN should be used.

You may need to file a second, separate tax return just for the estate.

If the estate earns income after the date of death (think interest, dividends, or rental income), you may be required to file Form 1041, a separate income tax return for the estate. This is completely separate from the final Form 1040 filed for your loved one’s personal income. A CPA can help you determine whether this applies to your situation.

A refund doesn’t just get issued automatically.

If your lost loved one is owed a tax refund, the IRS requires additional paperwork to release it. You’ll need to file Form 1310 (Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer) along with the final return. And if a refund check has already been issued in the deceased’s name, contact the IRS to have it reissued rather than attempting to deposit it.

An extension extends your filing deadline, but not your payment deadline.

If you need more time to file, you can request a six-month extension using Form 4868. Just know that any taxes owed are still due by the original April 15th deadline.

Check for prior-year unfiled returns.

If your loved one had years where returns weren’t filed, those will need to be addressed as part of settling the estate. A CPA can help you sort out the best path forward.

Tips for Working with the IRS

The transcript request line is easier than you think.

Calling 800-908-9946 to request tax transcripts is a fully automated system with no hold time, no representative needed. Just follow the prompts and transcripts arrive by mail within 5–10 business days.

You can always schedule a face-to-face appointment.

IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) offer in-person appointments year-round, not just during tax season. Find your nearest location and book at IRS.gov/help/tac or by calling 844-545-5640.

Call Tuesday through Thursday, first thing in the morning.

IRS phone lines are significantly less congested mid-week. Mondays and Fridays during filing season can mean very long waits.

Document every phone call.

Any time you speak with an IRS representative, write down the date, time, the rep’s name and employee ID number, and a summary of what was discussed. This record can be helpful if there are ever any follow-up questions.

Send everything by certified mail with return receipt.

When mailing documents to the IRS, certified mail gives you proof of delivery with a timestamp. This can matter if there’s ever a question about whether something was received on time.

Don’t panic over IRS notices.

It’s very common to receive IRS notices addressed to a deceased person. The agency often doesn’t know someone has passed, or may be following up on a prior-year return. Always respond by the date in the notice, include a copy of the death certificate and your Letter of Testamentary, and keep copies of everything you send.

Be patient because processing takes time.

Estate-related paperwork typically takes 8–12 weeks for the IRS to process. If you haven’t heard back after that window, a follow-up phone call is reasonable. To check in, the current phone number and phone tree is: 1-800-829-4933, Select 1 for English, Select 7 for other tax questions, Select 2 for forms already submitted, Select 1 for corporate, gift or estate taxes

We know that even with a solid plan, this can feel like a lot to take on. We’re here to support you through the process. Reach out to us and schedule a call today if you need support.

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