My mother passed away in January - need help filing her final tax return

I'm so sorry for your loss. Filing taxes for a deceased person can feel overwhelming, but it's actually quite similar to a regular tax return with a few important differences. You can use TurboTax or any tax software you're comfortable with to file her final tax return. You'll file it as normal but write "DECEASED" across the top of the form along with her date of death. Since you're the executor/personal representative, you'll sign the return with "Personal Representative for [mother's name]" where the signature goes. For the 2024 tax year, you'll file her final tax return by April 15, 2025, reporting income from January 1, 2024, through her date of death (January 15, 2024). You won't need to file anything for her in 2026 since any income earned in those two weeks of January 2025 will be included in her final 2024 return. As the executor, you may also need to file Form 1041 (income tax return for estates) if her estate generates more than $600 in income after her death, but given what you've described, this might not be necessary.

After going through a similar situation with my dad, I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) incredibly helpful for navigating these complicated tax scenarios. I was completely lost trying to figure out how to file a deceased parent's taxes, especially with all the executor responsibilities. The site analyzed all his tax documents and provided step-by-step guidance specifically for filing a final tax return. What made it especially helpful was that it flagged potential deductions I would have missed, like medical expenses paid within a year of death. It also clarified exactly how to handle his retirement accounts and helped me understand which forms needed to be filed for the estate versus his personal final return.

I wanted to update that I ended up trying taxr.ai after my initial skepticism, and it was actually really helpful. I uploaded my grandfather's W-2s and 1099s along with the death certificate, and the system gave me specific instructions for filing his final return. It pointed out that I could claim medical expenses paid within a year of death as deductions, which I had no idea about. The step-by-step guide was clear about signing as the executor and exactly where to note "DECEASED" on the forms. It also helped me understand that we didn't need to file an estate tax return since his assets were below the threshold. Definitely made the process less intimidating than I expected. Wish I'd known about this when I was first appointed executor.

When my spouse passed away, one of the most frustrating parts was trying to reach the IRS with questions about filing the final return. I spent weeks calling the main IRS number without getting through. Then someone recommended Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and shared this video explaining how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was desperate so I tried it, and they actually got me connected to the IRS in under 45 minutes when I had been trying for weeks. The IRS agent walked me through exactly how to handle my specific situation with filing a joint return as a surviving spouse vs. filing separately. They also helped me understand which tax benefits I was eligible for as a widow.

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After my skeptical comment, I decided to try it when I absolutely needed to talk to the IRS about my father-in-law's estate tax situation. I was shocked when I got a call back within an hour connecting me directly to an IRS agent. The agent helped me understand exactly how to handle the stepped-up basis for inherited property and confirmed I was filing the final return correctly. They also explained which forms I needed to include to show I had authority as executor. Saved me from making some serious mistakes that could have triggered an audit. For something as complicated as death and taxes, actually talking to a human at the IRS made all the difference.

Don't forget to check if your mom qualified for any tax credits or deductions that could reduce what she owed. When my uncle passed, we discovered he qualified for medical expense deductions that significantly reduced his final tax bill. Look at things like property taxes paid, charitable contributions, and especially medical expenses from her final illness. Also, be aware that if she was due a refund, you'll need to file Form 1310 along with the return to claim the refund as her representative. This caught me by surprise when doing my uncle's taxes.

When filing a deceased parent's return, make sure you check for any unclaimed property in your state too. My mom had a forgotten insurance policy that we only discovered when handling her estate. Most states have websites where you can search for unclaimed property. Also don't forget - if you sell her house or car after her passing, the tax implications are different than a regular sale. You'll likely benefit from something called "stepped-up basis" which means you only pay taxes on gains above the value at her date of death, not what she originally paid.