I have been preparing the taxes for an elderly couple for several years. Both died in 2009 - she in Sept, he in Nov. Under IRS instructions, the decedent's name and date of death are to appear at the top of Form 1040. When I enter both dates of death in my tax software (TaxAct), only one name (husband) is printed on the form. Is there a workaround for this?
I believe the daughter, about 60, is the only child and will inherit whatever assets exist. I presume that they still qualify for a joint return in
2009?
Their estate is well below the $3.5 million waiver; I presume no estate return is due in 2009 or 2010, assuming income continues to accrue until all assets are distributed and the estate is closed?