How to unlock a deceased person's IRS account after death

To access a deceased person's IRS account, you'll need to submit Form 56 (Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship) to establish yourself as the executor, along with Form 4506-T to request the tax transcripts. You'll also need to provide a copy of the death certificate and documentation showing you have the authority to act on behalf of the estate (like the will naming you executor). The IRS generally doesn't allow direct online access to a deceased person's account through their normal portal, even for executors. Instead, they process these requests manually through their deceased taxpayer unit. You might want to call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040, but be prepared for long wait times. Mention you're calling about a deceased taxpayer right away so they can direct you to the right department.

I went through this exact nightmare last year when my mom passed away. After spending HOURS on hold with the IRS (seriously, like 3+ hours each time), I found a service called taxr.ai that was actually super helpful. You can upload the death certificate and executor documents at https://taxr.ai and their system helps prepare all the right forms specifically for deceased taxpayer situations. It guided me through the whole process of getting my mom's tax transcripts and even helped me figure out which tax year documents I needed to look at. They have a deceased taxpayer section that walks you through exactly what the IRS needs to see. Made the whole ordeal way less stressful!

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here. It was super straightforward! I uploaded my uncle's death certificate and the letter showing I'm executor, and their system guided me through exactly which forms to file. They even have specific templates for deceased taxpayer situations. Within about 3 weeks I received all the tax transcripts I needed from the IRS. The step-by-step process made it really clear what I needed to do, which was huge because I was totally lost before. Definitely recommend for anyone dealing with a deceased relative's tax situation.

Having spent 17 days trying to reach someone at the IRS about my deceased father's tax situation, I finally found Claimyr. You can check out how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically they hold your place in the IRS phone queue and call you when an agent is about to answer. I was super skeptical, but I went to https://claimyr.com and tried it. Within 2 hours I got connected to an actual IRS representative who specializes in deceased taxpayer cases. They walked me through exactly what forms I needed to submit (Form 56 and 4506-T with death certificate). Saved me days of frustration and hold music!

I need to apologize and completely eat my words about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I was still struggling to get through to the IRS about my late mother's tax issues. Out of desperation, I tried the service. Holy crap, it actually worked exactly as described. I entered my number, and about 90 minutes later got a call connecting me directly to an IRS agent. The agent confirmed I needed to file Form 56 to establish fiduciary relationship and Form 4506-T to request her transcripts. They also explained I needed to write "DECEASED" across the top of any forms along with the date of death. Just wanted to share that this is legit and saved me tons of frustration.

One important thing nobody has mentioned - make sure to get multiple certified copies of the death certificate. Most places will want original certified copies, not photocopies. I needed way more than I initially thought when settling my husband's estate. Also, if your dad owed any taxes, you might need to file Form 1310 (Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer) if he was owed any refunds. And don't forget you'll need to file a final tax return for him too.

When my grandpa died last year, I had to get his IRS records too. One thing that helped was going to my local Taxpayer Advocate Service office in person. They were WAY more helpful than trying to call. They helped me fill out all the forms correctly right there and told me exactly where to send everything.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Annabel. I went through this same process when my father passed away two years ago, and I know how overwhelming it can feel on top of everything else you're dealing with. The advice about Form 56 and Form 4506-T is spot on. One thing I'd add is to be very specific about what tax years you need when filling out Form 4506-T - you can request multiple years on one form, which saves time. Also, make sure to check the box for "Account Transcript" rather than just "Return Transcript" if you need to see payment history and any correspondence. Another tip: when you call the IRS, have your dad's Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death ready right away. They'll ask for these immediately to verify you're calling about the right person. And yes, the wait times are brutal, but if you can call first thing in the morning (around 7 AM) you'll usually get through faster. The whole process took about 5 weeks for me from start to finish, but having all the documentation in order made a huge difference. Hang in there - it does get easier once you have the right paperwork submitted.

I'm really sorry for your loss, Annabel. I went through this exact situation when my mother passed away last year, and I know how daunting it feels when you're already dealing with so much. One thing that really helped me was creating a checklist before I started the IRS process. Here's what worked for me: 1. Get at least 5 certified copies of the death certificate (you'll need originals for multiple agencies) 2. Make copies of the will pages that name you as executor 3. Fill out Form 56 completely - don't leave any sections blank, even if they seem optional 4. For Form 4506-T, be very specific about which tax years you need (I requested the last 3 years to be safe) The most important thing I learned is to keep detailed records of every interaction with the IRS. Write down dates, times, and the names of representatives you speak with. This saved me when there was confusion about whether they had received my paperwork. Also, consider requesting both the Account Transcript AND the Return Transcript for each year. The Account Transcript shows payment history and any outstanding issues, while the Return Transcript shows what was actually filed. Having both gives you the complete picture of your dad's tax situation. The process is slow, but you're doing everything right by getting organized now. Take it one step at a time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Annabel. Having just gone through this process myself when my stepfather passed away six months ago, I completely understand how overwhelming it feels when you're already dealing with grief and so many other estate matters. Everyone has given excellent advice about the forms and procedures. I'd like to add a few practical tips that helped me get through this more smoothly: First, when you're ready to call the IRS, try calling on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings around 7-8 AM. I found the wait times were significantly shorter than calling later in the day or week. Have a book or something to do while on hold - even the "shorter" waits were still 45+ minutes. Second, create a simple spreadsheet or document tracking every form you submit, when you sent it, confirmation numbers, and follow-up dates. The IRS processes these requests in different departments, and having your own records helps enormously if you need to call back about the status. Third, if your dad had a tax preparer, reach out to them as well. Many CPAs and tax preparers have direct lines to IRS practitioners and can sometimes expedite requests or at least help ensure your paperwork is filled out correctly the first time. The timeline really varies - mine took about 4 weeks total, but I know others who waited 8+ weeks during busy season. Once you get the transcripts though, you'll have all the information you need to properly handle his tax obligations for the estate. Take care of yourself during this process. It's a lot to handle while you're grieving.