Arrow Exchange Tax Solutions

Filing a joint tax return for the year of a spouse’s death can be beneficial Surviving spouses are faced with many financial and tax-related decisions. One critical issue to consider is whether to file a joint or separate tax return for the year of the spouse’s death. Timing of the final tax return When a person dies, his or her personal representative (called an executor in some states) is responsible for filing an income tax return for the year of death (as well as any unfiled returns for previous years). For purposes of the final return, the tax year generally begins on January 1 and ends on the date of death. The return is due by April 15 of the following calendar year. Income that’s included on the final return is determined according to the deceased’s usual tax accounting method. So, for example, if he or she used the cash method, the income tax return will only report income actually or constructively received before death and only deduct expenses paid before death. Income and e