DEATH OF A TAXPAYER

Upon the death of a taxpayer, a personal representative (e.g., estate executor/executrix) takes charge of the decedent's property. This person may be named in the decedent's will or appointed by the court if there is no will. The duties of the representative include collecting all of the decedent's property, paying creditors, and distributing assets to the heirs. In addition, the representative is responsible for filing various tax returns and seeing that the taxes owed are properly paid. This section will provide an overview of some the commonly encountered issues to be resolved upon the death of a taxpayer. 

---