Margaret A. Munro

Taxes are a part of life. Love them or hate them (okay, no one loves paying them!), everyone has to deal with them. The Taxes For Dummies: 2024 Edition Cheat Sheet is here to help guide you through tax challenges with some straightforward strategies.Important IRS informationIRS Tax Forms and Publications. Only the most commonly used forms come with your annual IRS 1040 booklet.

As the fiduciary of an estate or trust, you have many duties, beginning immediately upon the decedent’s (deceased person’s) passing. You’re also guaranteed to become intimately familiar with a host of tax forms you may not have known existed.Tax forms to know as the fiduciary of an estate or trustWhen you’re administering an estate or trust, you may have to prepare a seemingly endless array of tax returns.

When you're ready to start saving for college, check out the different savings plans available so you pick the one best for you. Find out how you can cut wasteful spending from the budget to contribute more to your college saving plans, and be aware of provisions affecting the conditions of the 529 and Coverdell accounts.

When you’re asked to administer a trust or estate for a relative or friend (especially if that person didn’t have a will), this important responsibility can feel overwhelming during an already difficult time. Here are ten pitfalls that often trip up unwary administrators — and that you should avoid:Don't fail to terminate an existing real estate purchase and sale agreement.

Lines 9–17 of the Estate Form 706 are to remind you of other property that may be includible in the decedent’s estate. If you aren’t including it, the IRS wants an explanation. Line 9: If any insurance on the decedent’s life isn’t included on the return, answer “yes” on line 9a, complete Schedule D, and attach as an exhibit Form 712, Life Insurance Statement, together with an explanation of why the policy isn’t includible in the estate.

Sometimes, even when the trust or estate doesn’t have to file Form 1041, you still receive tax information from other sources. When you won’t be preparing a 1041 (perhaps the trust or estate has terminated), there won’t be a Schedule K-1 either. Instead, pass along any tax information you receive via a Form 1099 for income earned by property formerly owned by the trust or estate to the property’s new owners by issuing them a nominee Form 1099.