How do we handle paying property taxes for my deceased mother? My mother died in August 2007 and I did a date of death appraisal on her estate. Two of us siblings are co-owners but we do not own the estate yet. Do I need to do anything about deceased taxes? I have paid her real property taxes.
Expert Answer by Barbara Steinberg
A personal representative of an estate is an executor (appointed by will), administrator (appointed by court), or anyone who is in charge of the decedent’s property. Since you are acting as your mother’s personal representative, you are responsible for filing her final income tax return and the estate tax return.
You may not have to file one or both of these, depending on her income and deductions and the size of the estate. You are also responsible for filing any returns that should have been filed in the past, but were not.
If you do need to file a final return, it is due April 15, 2008. When preparing a final tax return, you need to add "Deceased" after your mother's name on the form. You should also put the date of death on the top. You must sign the return as the personal representative. Don't forget that there may be state income and estate tax forms to file as well.
Answer
Sorry but couldn't find another way to respond,so forgive me. Both my parents are deceased of of 2003 & 2004.The city of phila tells you nothing,lawyers use double talk to explain things,then you find out from another city employee,the lawyer should've done this and that. I'm still getting things in my parents name from the city for them to fill out,although i sent in copies of their death certificates.I'm on my own,with no legal help,the 1 lawyer i got in the beginning ashored me he'd done everything and all paper work was done,but as i stated before you'll find from another city emplyee,they'll tell you somthing else you wasn't told,the city's treasure dept,even contacted me and i still have no idea what she ment but thats the best she could explane.so you'll never get the complete truth from no 1 person.I still need legal help with deceased parents issues,butcan't afford for another attorney/lawyer do do everything and find out he/she hasn't done all required paper work. so my advice is to hold everything comming in the mail unless you can afford better & truthful lawyers.Oh,the lawyer did offer some tiny advice,he said not to pay any of their bills,not 1,because if i do then the rest of the bill collectors will expect me to pay as well.
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