Publication 559 - Introductory Material
Throughout this publication, section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted.
Estate tax return. Generally, if the decedent died during 2007, an estate tax return (Form 706) must be filed if the gross estate is more than
$2,000,000.
Estate tax repeal. The estate tax is repealed for decedents dying after 2009 and before 2011.
Consistent treatment of estate and trust items. Beneficiaries must generally treat estate items the same way on their individual returns as they are treated on the estate's
return.
Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). The IRS will issue an ITIN to a nonresident or resident alien who does not have and is not eligible to get a social security
number (SSN). To apply
for an ITIN, file Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, with the IRS. It usually takes
4 to 6 weeks to get an ITIN.
An ITIN is for tax use only. It does not entitle the holder to social security benefits or change the holder's employment
or immigration status
under U.S. law.
Requests for extension to file Form 1041. You can request an automatic 6-month extension of time to file Form 1041, U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts by
filing Form 7004,
Application for Automatic 6-Month Extension of Time To File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns.
Photographs of missing children. The Internal Revenue Service is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Photographs of
missing children
selected by the Center may appear in this publication on pages that would otherwise be blank. You can help bring these children
home by looking at the
photographs and calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) if you recognize a child.
This publication is designed to help those in charge of the property (estate) of an individual who has died (decedent). It
shows them how to
complete and file federal income tax returns and points out their responsibility to pay any taxes due.
A comprehensive example, using tax forms, is included near the end of this publication. Also included at the end of this publication
are the
following items.
-
A checklist of the forms you may need and their due dates.
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A worksheet to reconcile amounts reported in the decedent's name on information Forms W-2, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, etc. The worksheet
will help
you correctly determine the income to report on the decedent's final return and on the return for either the estate or a beneficiary.
Comments and suggestions.
We welcome your comments about this publication and your suggestions for future editions.
You can write to us at the following address:
Internal Revenue Service
SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP
1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526
Washington, DC 20224
We respond to many letters by telephone. Therefore, it would be helpful if you would include your daytime phone number,
including the area code, in
your correspondence.
You can email us at
*taxforms@irs.gov. (The asterisk must be included in the
address.) Please put “
Publications Comment” on the subject line. Although we cannot respond individually to each email, we do appreciate your
feedback and will consider your comments as we revise our tax products.
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Publication
-
950
Introduction to Estate and Gift Taxes
-
3920
Tax Relief for Victims of Terrorist Attacks
-
4492
Information for Taxpayers Affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma
Form (and Instructions)
-
1040
U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
-
1041
U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts
-
706
United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return
-
1310
Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer
See How To Get Tax Help near the end of this publication for information about getting publications and forms.
