Filing Taxes for an Estate with Income (Form 1041)

If your loved one’s estate continues to generate its own income after they have passed away (ie: through interest or rent earned by assets in the estate), you may need to file a separate tax return form, called Form 1041. This is a tax on the estate’s income, separate from and unrelated to any federal or state estate taxes.

Like personal income taxes, this tax is due by April 15th. The estate could end up paying penalties if that deadline is missed and an extension is not filed.

This tax only applies if your loved one’s estate generates more than $600 of income in a year after any eligible deductions.

How to File - link to IRS

Next Steps:

1. Determine if the estate's post-death income surpasses $600.
2. If needed, file Form 1041 by April 15th or request an extension.
3. Familiarize yourself with allowable deductions for estate income tax.
4. Seek advice from a tax professional or legal expert for complex estate income or deduction matters.

Form 1041 for Estate Income Tax:

• File Form 1041 if the estate earns income post-death.
• It's not an estate tax but taxes the estate's income

Common Estate Tax Deductions:

• Expenses of administering the estate (ie: lawyer’s fees, accountants’ fees, the executor’s fee, costs incurred in selling assets, or taxes paid on real estate)
• Any losses on the sale of an estate asset
• Income that has already been distributed to beneficiaries from the estate

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