Does Social Security mail 1099 tax forms to deceased beneficiaries' addresses?
My father passed away in October and I'm trying to get his finances in order. He was receiving Social Security retirement benefits for several years before he died. I know the SSA sends out SSA-1099 forms in January for tax purposes, but will they still mail one to his address even though he's deceased? I'm the executor of his estate and will need to file his final tax return. Should I call the SSA to have them send it to me directly instead? I've been dreading dealing with his taxes and just realized this might be an issue.
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Mason Kaczka
Yes, the SSA will still send the SSA-1099 to your father's last address of record. Since he received benefits for part of 2025, a tax form will be generated. If you're handling his estate, you should be able to access his mail. If that's not possible, you can request a replacement 1099 after February 1st by calling SSA or visiting your local office with proof that you're the executor.
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Olivia Van-Cleve
•Thank you! I don't have access to his mailbox anymore since we sold his house last month. Didn't even think about this until now. Guess I'll have to call them in February.
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Sophia Russo
When my mom died we had SUCH a nightmare getting her 1099!! The mail forwarding expired and we never got it. Ended up having to go to the SS office IN PERSON with death certificate and executor papers. Took half a day but they printed one for us right there.
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Olivia Van-Cleve
•Oh no, that sounds awful. I hope it doesn't come to that. His mail forwarding is going to my sister's house but she's not great about checking it regularly.
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Evelyn Xu
OMG I've been waiting on hold with Social Security for TWO HOURS trying to deal with my dad's missing 1099!!! This happens EVERY year - the govt sends these forms too late and then expects us to file taxes on time?? And now with him passed away it's even MORE complicated. So frustrating!!!!!
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Dominic Green
•If you're struggling to get through to Social Security by phone, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that calls SSA for you and connects you once an agent is on the line. Saved me hours of waiting when I needed to handle my spouse's survivor benefits paperwork. They have a video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU
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Hannah Flores
Just to add some clarification - the SSA-1099 for a deceased person will show all benefits paid before death. As executor, you'll need this for the final tax return. If you can't get the original form, you have several options: 1. Request a replacement through my Social Security online account (if you have access to your father's account) 2. Visit a local SSA office with your ID and documentation showing you're the executor 3. Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to request a replacement The replacement forms are usually available after February 1st. I recommend handling this well before tax filing deadline to avoid delays with the final return.
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Kayla Jacobson
•my wife passed in 2024 and i just printed her 1099 from her my social security account. i already had her login info from when she was sick. maybe you have your dads?
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William Rivera
I work in tax prep and see this all the time. SSA does mail the 1099 to the last address, but you can also get a copy at the local office. Bring the death certificate and letters testamentary/executor documents. They're usually pretty good about this particular issue since it happens so often. Dont wait until April though!
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Olivia Van-Cleve
•Thanks for the advice! I have all the documents ready, just wasn't sure about the process. I'll definitely try to handle this in February rather than waiting.
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Evelyn Xu
My dad died in 2023 and we never got his final 1099. The IRS ended up sending us a nasty letter saying we underreported his income! Make SURE you get that form one way or another!
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Sophia Russo
•Same happened to my cousin! The IRS acts like we're trying to cheat when it's really just impossible to get the right forms sometimes!
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Mason Kaczka
One more thing I forgot to mention - if you're filing the final tax return, you'll need to indicate that the taxpayer is deceased. Usually this is done by writing "DECEASED" and the date of death at the top of the 1040 form. The SSA-1099 will show all benefits paid to your father during the months he was alive in 2025. Any benefits paid for the month of death need to be reported, even if they were received in the following month.
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Olivia Van-Cleve
•That's really helpful information. I wasn't aware of the notation needed on the 1040. Would a tax professional automatically know to do this, or should I specifically mention it?
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Mason Kaczka
•Any experienced tax professional should know this, but it never hurts to mention it specifically. Also, if your father's final return results in a refund, you may need to submit Form 1310 (Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer) along with the return.
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