When a taxpayer passes away, their tax responsibilities don’t. In fact, for tax professionals, everything often becomes more complicated. Between navigating legal authority, collecting IRS data, filing final returns, and coordinating with grieving family members, this is a complex workflow that can quickly spiral into hours of administrative back-and-forth and dead ends, especially because the IRS requires precise documentation before releasing any information to tax professionals or their surviving family members and representatives.
Tax pros already know this: handling a deceased taxpayer’s case is rarely straightforward. But with the right tools and access to information, it doesn’t have to be a burden.
So what exactly makes these situations so complex, and how can technology ease the load?
1. Obtaining IRS Authorization Is Complicated and Easy to Mess Up
Unlike using a standard Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization, an authorization for a deceased taxpayer requires:
Miss one piece, and the IRS rejects the request — costing days or weeks.
Many tax pros only file these occasionally, which means you’re constantly re-learning the rules or clarifying requirements with the family. It’s stressful for you and overwhelming for them.
2. Families Don’t Always Have the Right Documents
Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, Trust Agreements, Form 56 — many families have no idea what these are, whether they apply, or where to find them.
This leaves tax pros stuck chasing paperwork that may or may not exist and explaining probate vs. non-probate scenarios rather than spending time on ensuring the decedent meets their tax obligation.
3. The IRS Processing Queue Is Slow (and Mistakes Slow It Even More)
Even a perfectly submitted request for a deceased taxpayer often takes longer than a standard Form 8821. If documentation is missing or the names don’t line up exactly? Expect even longer delays.
Meanwhile, you’re left fielding calls from family members asking when you’ll have answers.
4. Getting the Full IRS Picture Is Critical — and Often Delayed
To properly file a final return or settle a prior-year issue, you likely need:
Without a direct line to IRS data, you’re piecing together information from old files, guessing payment dates, or relying on family members who aren’t sure what the deceased filed or what their full picture of their income and deductions looks like.
TaxNow created a step-by-step guide for exactly what’s needed for a deceased taxpayer’s 8821:
Download the guide here
Instead of emailing documents, scanning piecemeal files, or keeping track of what’s missing, you can upload all required documents in one place. TaxNow handles sending it to the IRS for you.
No need to manually track CAF processing timelines.
TaxNow notifies you when the IRS approves the authorization, so you can move immediately on transcripts and tax prep work.
Once authorization is active, TaxNow retrieves everything you need to finalize the deceased taxpayer’s obligations:
No calling the IRS, no manual downloads, no guesswork.
You can reassure them with:
TaxNow helps you handle the technical heavy lifting so you can focus on supporting the family, not navigating bureaucracy.
Handling taxes for a deceased taxpayer is one of the most sensitive and cumbersome scenarios a tax professional can face. The rules are strict, the paperwork is unforgiving, and the IRS moves slowly, but the family needs clarity quickly.
TaxNow streamlines this entire workflow so you can:
The result: a smoother experience for you and for the people who need your help most.
When the situation is delicate and accuracy matters more than ever, TaxNow ensures you’re equipped to handle it with confidence.
