The short answer
More than usual, but not all at once. There will be a final return for his part of the year, and you can usually still file jointly for the year he died.
Find a preparer early, and keep every tax form that arrives in his name.
This chapter explains how things usually work in the United States. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and the rules where you live may differ. Before you act on anything here, check it with one of the people named at the end of the chapter.
What to do
- Keep every tax form addressed to him, in one folder.
- Find his last two or three returns.
- Call his preparer, or find one, and ask what they charge.
- Ask which returns are due, for you and for his estate, and when.
- Ask about your filing status for this year and the next.
- Ask about the home-sale rule before you list a home you own.
What can wait
- Next year's tax planning.
- Selling inherited investments. When you get to it, ask about the new basis first.
Who can help
A CPA or an enrolled agent can prepare these returns for you. For free help, call the IRS locator at 1-800-906-9887 or AARP Foundation Tax-Aide at 1-888-227-7669.
The numbers are also in Your numbers, in one place, at the back of this book.
The rules, phone numbers and web addresses in this book were checked against the agencies’ own pages in October 2026. They change, so check anything you rely on with the office itself.
From Book 2: The Money
This page has the short answer and the closing lists from chapter 10. The full chapter explains, in plain words, what exists, what to ask, and who can answer. The book covers months 1 to 6.
Hear when the next book is out
Five or six short emails a year at most, and a note when a new book is out. Each one is about something that tends to come up in the first two years. You can unsubscribe whenever you like.