Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Alert the IRS that the taxpayer is deceased by properly labeling form 1040. Write the word "deceased" in capital letters at the very top of the front page. Next to it, write the name of the person who has passed away and the date of death.
2

Fill out the entire tax form as normal. If the person made any income after death through royalties or interest income, consult a tax professional because you may have to fill out special forms.
3

Sign the form in place of the deceased person at the end of the tax form. In the box labeled "Sign here," put your name on the line instead of the deceased. After your name, place a comma and then "Executor." Date the form and sign it. If the form is a joint form with a spouse, the spouse also needs to sign the form.
4

Fill out form 1310, titled "Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer." This is a simple form that just alerts the IRS to write the refund check to someone other than the taxpayer. If you are a surviving spouse, you still need to fill out this form so that the refund check is just for you and not written to both of you.