Filing Deceased Father's Tax Return - How Long for IRS Processing?

Yes. These take longer. Paper returns are slower. Deceased taxpayer returns need extra verification. IRS reviews documentation carefully. Expect 8-12 weeks minimum. Could be longer this season. Be patient.

Dealing with the same thing right now with my mom's taxes. It's like the IRS puts these in the "complicated pile" and forgets about them for a while! 😩 Been waiting 14 weeks now. Finally got smart and used https://taxr.ai to analyze her transcript. It showed exactly where in processing the return was stuck and explained all those weird codes. Saved me from having a full-blown anxiety attack every time I checked for updates. The site actually predicted I'd get the refund next week based on the processing pattern.

Did you file with Form 1310? I submitted my husband's final return on January 23, 2024, and I'm still waiting. IRS website says deceased taxpayer returns take 6-8 weeks longer than standard processing. But I've seen cases from February 2023 that took almost 6 months. Did you check if your father had any outstanding debts that might offset the refund? That's another complication that extends processing.

I waited almost 4 months for my aunt's return last year. Regular returns were coming back in 3 weeks. Deceased returns are like audit returns - they take forever compared to normal processing. After 3 months of calling that impossible IRS number, I used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to actually get through to a human. Got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes who confirmed it was still processing normally, just in the deceased taxpayer queue. Saved me weeks of worry.

According to Internal Revenue Manual section 21.7.4, deceased taxpayer returns require additional processing steps. Per IRS Publication 559, the executor or personal representative must file the final return. If you submitted Form 1310 (Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer), the IRS must validate your legal right to claim the refund. This validation adds significant processing time. Instead of waiting passively, request a transcript of your father's account. This will show if the return has been received and is being processed. The IRS doesn't prioritize these returns, but they do follow a standard workflow for deceased taxpayer processing.

I went through this exact situation with my mother last year. I remember being so frustrated because I needed the refund to help cover some of the funeral costs. I was checking the IRS website every single day for three months! When it finally processed, it turned out they had sent a letter requesting additional verification that I never received. Once I provided the documentation they needed, it took another 6 weeks. My advice is to be proactive - don't just wait like I did. The relief when it finally came through was enormous though.

Deceased taxpayer returns are subject to Manual Review Processing under IRS procedures. The IRS applies additional verification protocols to prevent fraudulent claims. Standard processing time for paper-filed deceased returns is currently 16-20 weeks minimum. This timeframe extends if the decedent had outstanding liabilities or if documentation is incomplete. Form 1310 must accompany the return unless you're a surviving spouse filing jointly. The IRS will issue Notice CP05 if they need additional verification of your legal right to claim the refund.

Look, the system is frustrating but there are ways through it. Mail anything to the IRS and you're looking at months not weeks. Next time, use a tax pro who specializes in estate issues - they know the exact documentation needed the first time. Check your father's online account transcript if possible. If not, call early morning (7am Eastern) on Tuesday or Wednesday for shortest wait times. And definitely follow up if it's been more than 3 months. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with the IRS.