My elderly father died in 2007. What is my obligation as the executor to see if prior years' tax returns have been filed (and taxes paid)? I can find no direct evidence that federal or state returns were filed, but I also see no evidence that are are any open audits, tax judgments, or liens. I know I can request 4 years of transcript data and 10 years of copies of prior returns (at the federal level), but do I need to "reach back" that far? I have insufficient data to reconstruct whatever is necessary. I am uncomfortable with filing the 2007 returns and waiting until the tax authorities send me a notice for prior years.
2007-11-26 07:23:39 · 3 answers · asked by Mike S 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
File form 56 for the 1040 returns.
Use the form 4506-T to get his income and account transcripts for the last 6 years--or call and ask if he had a filing requirement and did he file.
When you are done, use form 4810 to request an early audit so this won't hang over your head for years to come.
2007-11-26 18:34:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be that his income was low enough not to file. Otherwise the IRS would have sent him annual notices asking for a return. Did he get these notices? If not no requirement to file a final 1040 but it would be good to do it anyway to delete him from IRS records.
2007-11-26 16:27:52 · answer #2 · answered by spicertax 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have some reason to think that he was required to file for the previous years, but didn't? If not, just file the 2007 return and quit worrying about it.
2007-11-26 18:58:51 · answer #3 · answered by Judy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋