Deceased Taxpayers

If you are a surviving spouse or an executor, administrator, or court-appointed personal representative, (collectively "personal representative") of an individual who died during the tax year, you may be required to file a return on the decedent's behalf.

If you are a personal representative and you are filing an income tax return for an unmarried individual or a married filing separately return for a married individual who died during the taxable year, enter the name of the decedent and your address in the “Name and Address” section of Form D-400.  In the “Deceased Taxpayer Information” section, fill in the circle and enter the taxpayer’s date of death in the appropriate box.

If you are a surviving spouse and you choose to file a married filing joint tax return with your spouse who died during the taxable year, enter your name, the name of the decedent, and your address in the “Name and Address” section of Form D-400.  In the “Deceased Taxpayer Information” section, fill in the circle and enter the date of the decedent’s death in the appropriate box.

If you are a surviving spouse and you choose to file a married filing separately tax return for your spouse who died during the taxable year, enter the name of the decedent and your address in the “Name and Address” section of Form D-400.  In the “Deceased Taxpayer Information” section, enter the date of the decedent’s death in the appropriate box.

Important: Form D-407, Income Tax for Estates and Trusts, must be filed for an estate for the period from the date of death to the end of the taxable year if the estate had taxable income from North Carolina sources or income which was for the benefit of a North Carolina resident, and the estate is required to file a federal tax return for estates and trusts.