Do I need to file a final tax return for deceased mom?

Yes, you need to file the tax returns (federal and state) for her estate.

Yep, you will need to file.

My FIL's acct. came to the funeral to find out who was going to handle the tax situation. It was lucky, lucky me! Dad's finances were a mess. I found all the salient forms and such (he had a pension, and also a small tour business on the side)....end story, he owed no taxes, got a very small refund and the acct. notified the IRS of his death. Never heard from them again.

We never filed after the death of either parent - Pop survived Mom 7.5 years.

The IRS never asked for a return either. Neither had been filing for years due to lowered income because of medications.

Just my 2-cents worth.

My accountant said to file a "final" return. This alerts the IRS that she is deceased and her social security cannot be used in the future. He charged me a small fee to do this and for peace of mind it was well worth it.

You should go to the court and file to be the executor or it Will fall to the state and they Will disperse everything which in my case they tried too include my personal stuff that was on the farm and in the house. Unbelievable.

Yes if she didn't make enough then you file an exemption. Will also have to file a tax return till the estate is closed if enough money comes in. But that is the executor of the estates job. till the estate is closed. I WAS an ex for 14 year's paying aand filing and paying income tax for most of the time. Also since she is no longer living no standard deduction is allowed.

File. You may get a refund given deductions for medical expenses.
Any cost that were involved taking her to the doctor or hospital are deductible as well. (Probably on your taxes if you paid or provided the travel)

Sendhelp: :-) Yup. bpositive3: Likely you'll find them helpful, or at least I hope that's your experience if you stop by.

MountainMoose,
There are humans?

At an IRS Office?

Was your Mom filing every year. My Mom was told by IRS aft Dad died she no longer had to file. Her income was 20k, 18k was SS, 2k was her pension. I spoke to my tax person and was told I don't need to file. Mom died in Sept.

If you prefer to talk with a human,you could stop by an IRS office or call them. Perhaps call soon before tax season is in full swing.

Thank you for the tips, everyone. There is no executor, no will. She did not have much, I'll check the IRS forms quoted here.

Yes, a tax return is filed in the year of death, unless her income is so low that she doesn't meet the requirements. In that case, you may still want to file a tax return to get a refund of the taxes withheld on the pension. If last year's tax return shows -0- tax due, there is probably no requirement to file a return this year.

You need to prepare a return to determine if you need to file, i.e., whether income is such that it's taxable.

Form 1310 used to be the form used to get a refund for someone who is deceased. But do check out the IRS 1040 instructions, or search on the IRS website.

www.irs.gov/help/ita/how-do-i-file-a-deceased-persons-tax-return 

More information is available in the Form 1040 Instructions, in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, and in IRS Publication 559, Survivors, Executors and Administrators. If the decedent has not done so, you may also have to file individual income tax returns for years preceding the year of death.Nov 15, 2017  If there is no will this will end up in court with an executor appointed.  When someone dies if they owe any money to anyone their will be a claim filed against the estate. POA is no longer valid.

POA expires on death. Is there a will?