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Probate & Trust Law Section Conference Manual ... - Minnesota CLE

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termination notices should be filed as soon as possible in order to relieve the<br />

former Fiduciary from liability for actions that are required to be taken subsequent<br />

to the termination, such as filing new tax returns with accompanying tax<br />

payments. Providing the IRS with notice of the termination of a fiduciary<br />

relationship will not protect the Fiduciary from personal liability for activities<br />

previously undertaken by or required of the fiduciary for the periods in which he<br />

or she was serving as Fiduciary, such as filing returns or making payments of tax<br />

due. Additional steps need to be taken to further insulate the Fiduciary from<br />

liability.<br />

c. The Fiduciary should collect and review the decedent’s federal income tax<br />

reporting information (e.g. 1099s) and prior federal and state income and gift tax<br />

returns for the three years preceding death. Review all of decedent’s records to<br />

identify any correspondence and/or notices from the IRS. If an accountant had<br />

previously prepared decedent’s tax returns, the Fiduciary should meet with the<br />

accountant to discuss all tax issues. If information seems incomplete or additional<br />

information is necessary, consider requesting copies of previously filed tax<br />

returns (IRS Form 4506), requesting a transcript (IRS Form 5406), or making a<br />

Freedom of Information Act request to obtain missing information.<br />

d. Filing any of the above suggested forms does not act as notice of a change of<br />

address for IRS purposes. The Fiduciary should consider filing IRS Form 8822,<br />

Change of Address, to ensure that all decedent’s mail is forwarded to the<br />

Fiduciary.<br />

e. If the Fiduciary, or counsel for the Fiduciary, deems it necessary to discuss<br />

decedent’s tax matters with the IRS, Form 2848, Power of Attorney, will be<br />

required to be filed to give the IRS authority to discuss matters with the<br />

representative. Again, Form 56 must be filed before (or in conjunction with) the<br />

Power of Attorney or it will not be accepted. When completing the Power of<br />

Attorney form, it will be helpful to check the box requesting that copies of all<br />

mailings be sent to the representative. In addition, be sure all years, including the<br />

current year, are indicated on the form so amended Powers of Attorney will not be<br />

required as matters progress.<br />

<strong>Minnesota</strong>’s companion form is Form REV184, <strong>Minnesota</strong> Authorization of<br />

Power of Attorney. The Fiduciary may choose to request full authority, without<br />

restrictions, to cover any possible issues that may arise in his/her research of<br />

decedent’s tax history.<br />

f. Filing reminders – To most effectively process decedent’s final returns and collect<br />

any refund due to the estate, the Fiduciary should consider the following:<br />

i. Write “DECEASED,” the taxpayer’s name, and the date of death across<br />

the top of the tax return.<br />

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