Call Today: 212-233-1233

What Taxes Are Involved In A New York Estate?

An estate may be subject to filing a federal tax return for any income that the estate earns after the death of the decedent until the estate is closed and may be subject to paying a one- time federal and New York estate tax based upon the value of the total assets of the estate at the time of the decedent’s death. The executor or personal representative must file the appropriate tax returns and pay any estate taxes due out of the estate assets within 9 months after the death of the decedent. The beneficiaries of the estate are subject to paying the federal income taxes on any income the estate earns based upon their share of distributions received.

Federal and New York State Estate Tax Returns

For a decedent that passes away in 2011 or 2012, a federal estate tax return (Form 706) must be filed with the IRS by the executor or personal representative of a New York Probate Estate and estate taxes are due if the gross estate after deductions and exemptions of the decedent exceeds $5,000,000. Form ET-706, New York State Estate Tax Return, must be with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, whether or not the estate owes federal taxes, if the decedent was a New York resident and/or U.S. citizen and the estate assets exceed $1 million after deductions and any exemptions. If Form 706 was filed, a copy must be attached to the ET-706. If the decedent owned real or tangible property in the state, but was not a resident, the return must be filed if the gross estate exceeds $60,000. It may be possible to file for an extension for all tax returns. Once the New York State estate return has been processed, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance may issue a closing letter reflecting that no tax is due. It may take approximately 4-6 months to receive this letter.

Form 1041 Estate Federal income Tax Return

A Form 1041 and Schedule K-1 must be filed by the estate with the IRS regarding any income received by the estate in excess of $600 from the time of the decedent’s death until the estate is wound up and closed. The 1041 is similar to Form 1040. The estate may also deduct administrative expenses, including executor or personal representative fees, legal fees, distributions to the beneficiaries and any charitable donations. The estate does not pay the taxes on the income because it is passed through to the beneficiaries, who are are responsible for paying the taxes on the income they receive from the estate.

Since New York probate estate and federal income taxes are highly complex matters, it is recommended that the executor or personal representative consult with a New York Probate Attorney regarding estate taxes and filing requirements and procedures.
If you wish to speak to a New York estate attorney, call the Law Offices of Albert Goodwin at (212) 233-1233.

Attorney Albert Goodwin

About the Author

Albert Goodwin Esq. is a licenced New York attorney with over 17 years of courtroom experience. His extensive knowledge and expertise make him well-qualified to write authoritative articles on a wide range of legal topics. He can be reached at 212-233-1233 or [email protected].


Warning: session_start(): Session cannot be started after headers have already been sent in /home/bounce28/public_html/widgets/contact-form.php on line 2

Contact Us









Albert Goodwin gave interviews to and appeared on the following media outlets:

ProPublica Forbes ABC CNBC CBS NBC News Discovery Wall Street Journal NPR

Client Reviews

Verified feedback from our clients

Mr. Goodwin is everything you want in an attorney: professional, honest, thorough, and genuinely caring. He always explains things clearly, so I understood exactly what was happening and what to expect next. His attention to detail and persistence really stood out. Looking back, I feel lucky to have found him. He guided me through the whole process expertly, and I deeply appreciate all his hard work. Would definitely recommend him to anyone needing legal help.

Sarah M

Legal Services

Thanks to Mr. Albert Goodwin's hard work and smart thinking, I finally won my case, which has been a long time coming. He figured out solutions that no one else could see. I'm really impressed by his strong ethics - something that's rare these days. As my lawyer, he went above and beyond what I expected. I'm so grateful I found him and would definitely recommend him to anyone needing legal help.

Lawrence H

Legal Services

From our first meeting, I knew I was in great hands with Albert and his associate Katrina. They handled my case with incredible skill and efficiency, even though they took it over from another firm. What impressed me most was how quickly Albert responded to my questions with honest, clear answers - no sugarcoating, just straight talk. They managed a huge workload under tight deadlines, and their fees were very reasonable for such high-quality work. Beyond his legal expertise, Albert's wit and personality made a difficult process much easier to handle. I'm deeply grateful for their hard work and would absolutely choose them again. If you need legal help in New York, you won't find better representation than Albert's firm.

Adam F

Legal Services

VIEW MORE
New York State Bar Association Member Badge New York City Bar Association Member Badge American Bar Association Member Badge Avvo Rated Attorney Badge