How can I get a 1099-SSA form for my deceased father to file his taxes?

I've helped several clients with this exact situation. The SSA has a specific process for getting these forms for deceased individuals. First, try visiting your local Social Security office in person with your ID and documentation showing you're handling your father's estate (death certificate, letters testamentary if you have them). Sometimes face-to-face is much faster than phone calls. They can often print the 1099-SSA right there for you. If that's not possible, you can request it by phone at 1-800-772-1213, but prepare for a wait. Have your father's Social Security number, death certificate information, and proof you're authorized to handle his affairs ready when you call. Another option is to file Form SSA-1099/1042S Replacement Request, though this typically needs to be done by the original recipient (which obviously isn't possible in your case).

I went through something similar when my mom passed away last year. Instead of calling SSA directly, I found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that actually helped me get all the documents I needed. They have this feature where they can help track down missing tax forms and even communicate with government agencies on your behalf. I was skeptical at first but desperate after spending weeks trying to sort everything out. They helped me locate not just the 1099-SSA but also some other financial documents we needed for her final tax return. They have this document retrieval service that was a total lifesaver during an already stressful time.

Just wanted to update - I decided to try taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here. I was really surprised by how easy they made everything! I uploaded my father's death certificate and the executor documents, and within 3 days they had secured a copy of his 1099-SSA. They also found a 1099-R from a small pension I didn't even know about. They guided me through exactly what to request and how to phrase things in a way that got results instead of the runaround. Apparently their system knows exactly which departments handle these matters and how to navigate the bureaucracy. Saved me so much stress during an already difficult time.

I had a nightmare experience trying to get tax docs for my deceased brother. After 2 months of getting nowhere with SSA phone calls, I found this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a human at the SSA in under 10 minutes instead of the typical 2+ hour wait. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It's specifically designed to help get through the endless hold times with government agencies. I was able to explain my situation to the SSA rep and they processed my request for my brother's 1099-SSA over the phone. They mailed it to me within a week.

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I was so desperate after my third 2-hour hold with SSA that ended with a disconnection that I tried it. I honestly can't believe it worked! I got connected to an actual SSA representative in about 15 minutes. The rep was able to verify my identity and authority as my father's executor, and they're sending the 1099-SSA to my address. They also explained that I could have gotten this info from his 2024 benefit verification letter which shows the same info as the 1099-SSA (total benefits received and any withheld taxes). I was 100% wrong and I'm glad I gave it a shot despite my skepticism.

There's another option nobody's mentioned yet. If you have your father's final bank statements, you might be able to see the exact Social Security deposits. Using those monthly amounts, you can calculate the total annual benefits your father received. This doesn't replace the official 1099-SSA, but it gives you the numbers to file the return if you're in a hurry. Then you can always file an amended return later if needed once you get the official form.

Has anyone dealt with a situation where the deceased person was getting benefits by paper check instead of direct deposit? My grandfather passed and we can't find his 1099-SSA anywhere in his papers.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my mother's estate. One thing that helped me was contacting the SSA's estate services department directly at 1-800-772-1213 and specifically asking for "deceased beneficiary services" when you get through the phone tree. They have specialists who handle these requests all day and understand the urgency of tax filing deadlines. When I called, I had all my documents ready (death certificate, court appointment as executor, her SSN) and they were able to expedite the 1099-SSA request. It still took about 10 business days to arrive by mail, but that was much faster than the standard processing time. Also, if you're pressed for time with tax deadlines, you can file for an extension using Form 4868 for the final return. This gives you an extra 6 months to get all the paperwork sorted out properly without penalties.

I went through this exact situation when my mom passed away two years ago. One thing that really helped me was calling the SSA early in the morning (around 8:15 AM EST) - the wait times were significantly shorter than calling later in the day. Also, make sure you have Form SSA-721 (Statement of Claimant or Other Person) filled out beforehand. This form establishes your authority to act on behalf of your father's estate and can speed up the process considerably. You can download it from the SSA website. If you do end up going the in-person route, bring multiple copies of everything - death certificate, executor paperwork, your ID, and his SSN. Some offices want to keep copies for their files. The local office route worked great for me and I walked out with the 1099-SSA the same day. Hang in there - dealing with government agencies during grief is incredibly tough, but you'll get through this.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Emily. I went through this same nightmare when my dad passed last year. After weeks of getting nowhere with phone calls, I discovered you can actually request the 1099-SSA through the SSA's online Representative Payee portal if you get appointed as the representative for his estate. Here's what worked for me: I submitted Form SSA-11 (Request to be Selected as Payee) along with the death certificate and court documents showing my authority to handle his affairs. Once approved as the representative, I could access his benefit information online and download the 1099-SSA directly. This route took about 2-3 weeks total, but it saved me from those endless phone calls. The local SSA office can help you get started with this process if you visit in person. Just make sure to bring certified copies of everything - they'll need to keep some documents for their files. Also, don't forget that if your father had any federal taxes withheld from his Social Security benefits, that information will be on the 1099-SSA too. You'll need both the gross benefit amount and any withholdings for his final return. Hang in there - this process is exhausting but you'll get through it.

I'm really sorry for your loss, Emily. I went through something very similar with my mom's estate last year and know how frustrating this process can be. One approach that worked well for me was contacting the SSA's Technical Expert (TE) unit directly. They handle complex cases involving deceased beneficiaries and estate matters. You can reach them by calling the main SSA number (1-800-772-1213) and specifically asking to be transferred to "Technical Expert services for deceased beneficiary matters." The TE specialists are much more knowledgeable about these situations than the general customer service reps. When I called, they were able to process my request for my mother's 1099-SSA over the phone and had it expedited to me within 5 business days. They also helped me understand some other benefits-related documents I needed for the estate. Make sure to have your father's full Social Security number, your identification as executor, and the death certificate information ready when you call. The TE unit can also help if there are any complications with his online account or if there were any benefit overpayments that need to be addressed on his final return. This route saved me from multiple trips to the local office and the endless hold times with regular customer service. Hope this helps during what I know is an incredibly difficult time.