Non-Spouse Executor Filing a MFJ Return
One or both spouses are deceased. If only one spouse is deceased, the surviving spouse is not the executor / personal representative for the deceased.
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In the case of a spouse passing away and the surviving spouse is not the executor/representative we are filing a tax for two separate people under a jointly filed return. The executor/representative handling the deceased portion of the return and the surviving spouse handling their portion of the return. The executor/representative is the only person who can sign the return on behalf of the deceased individual. The surviving spouse cannot sign for the deceased in this case.
This page is also used when both spouses are deceased. There may be one or two executor/personal representatives in this case. If more than one representative both must sign Engagement Agreement and Tax Returns.
NOTE 1: This is only to be used if the return will be filed MFJ – Married Filing Jointly
NOTE 2: If spouse is executor or no one else besides the spouse is the executor and you are filing MFJ – Married Filing Joint, DO NOT USE THIS PAGE. Go back and use regular page.
Step 1
Please complete the intake for both the deceased and the surviving spouse.
NEED NEW INTAKE
Step 2
Please complete the following forms:
HHTS Engagement and Fee Agreement
Individual Client Questionnarie
Consent to Release Information Form (Prior year consent forms are void once someone passes away.) – Consent forms for a married filing joint and the spouse is deceased cannot be for a time period of more than 1 year.
Step 3
If either spouse is/was a minister, you will need to complete the Minister’s Deduction Worksheet listed below.
Step 4
Any and all 1099’s Forms, W2 Forms, Form 1098 Mortgage Statements, and any form that says “tax document.”
If we did not prepare the tax return last year and they filed one, we need, if possible, a complete copy of last year’s Federal and State Tax Return. In certain circumstances for those who filed, it is required.
Step 5
If they have or had a business, farm, or rental property please click here for additional forms.
Step 6
For the deceased we need:
• The Court Qualification Letter, issued by the court naming an executor or personal representative or a Small Estate Affidavit (not all states allow Small Estate Affidavit Forms) – In Virginia, you use a Small Estate Affidavit when you were not required to Court Qualify, which normally is because the estate is under $50.000. **(In order to be an executor or personal representative you need a legal document giving you that power, one of these forms is used for that purpose)**
• A copy of the Will, if they had one.
• An original Death Certificate (we will return the original Death Certificate once we scan it)
PDF Forms: If you would like to digitally send us your information, we only take PDF format files. We prefer PDF files that have been originally scanned and saved as PDFs, meaning not converted to a PDF from a picture file. If you have a smartphone or an all-in-one printer, scanner, & copier, the apps or scanner software often times take a picture then convert it to a PDF. When it converts it to a PDF from a picture, in most cases, we cannot print out your information nor will IRS accept that format. If at all possible, please scan them into a computer and save them as a PDF to your desktop rather than a smartphone.
Tax Portal: We have a portal option where you information can be stored all in one place. We can get information from you and securely put information into your portal for you. It is the best and most secure way of sharing information with each other. Each client needs to have their own email in order to use the portal. Another words, if you have a corporation and an individual return, you will need 2 emails in order to get a portal for each account. We do not suggest or encourage using e-mail, but instead using our portal to share information with us and get information from us.
More than 5 PDF Documents: If you need to send more than 5 PDF documents for your taxes, we have to put your documents in a holding bin until someone can merge them. It will speed up the processing of your return if you merge them into 5 or fewer documents before sending them to us. Sending more than 5 documents will slow down the processing of your taxes. Due to that fact, we ask you to merge them into one or two files. See how to merge files below.
How to Merge Files: On a computer, open one of the files in your PDF viewer and go to “insert file” and select it. The PDF app will ask you what you want to insert, then select the various pages you want to insert and insert them into the file you have open. Just hit save once you are completed or you will lose everything you inserted.