My girlfriends dad died last year and left her a sum of money through a company called fidelity. She received a lump sum but some of the money was withheld pending her father's tax return. She was told it would be paid to her after the new year once her late fathers tax return was done, however she has now been asked by th IRS to do a tax return. She has never earned money from america and we cant find anyone to get advice of what to do. Please help!
4
-
1Where is your girlfriend located?– NosjackFeb 18, 2020 at 16:43
-
1Need to clarify whether the tax return the IRS is asking for is for your girlfriend, or for her deceased father.– jamesqfFeb 18, 2020 at 17:57
-
She is in england, and they are asking her to fill in a tax return. She has never lived in the states though– Nick AndrewsFeb 18, 2020 at 18:16
-
1Is gf a US citizen? If she was born to a US parent, even though she didn't and doesn't live in the US she may still be a citizen under the law, and US citizens living anywhere are subject to 'resident' (domestic) tax -- US is almost the only country that does this, making it unfamiliar and strange to most other people.– dave_thompson_085Feb 19, 2020 at 5:57
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
First question is who is the executor of the estate? Typically it falls upon that person to do things like file the final tax return. If it is your girlfriend, then she should do so.
What I would do is contact a person in the state where her father lived to do the tax returns. Most of the work can be done online. A couple of products to look at are TurboTax and H&R Block. Unless there were a lot of complexities, it is mostly answering a few questions, with the appropriate tax forms in front of you, and doing some data entry. Many Americans are capable of doing their tax returns on their mobile phones. The cost is pretty low to use most services.
Fidelity may not be the only place where you may need to gather information from which will complicate the matter.
The key question is, is your girl friend the executor? If not who is?
-
2Re "products", many people can use the IRS's on-line Free File system instead of paying money for 3rd party products.– jamesqfFeb 18, 2020 at 17:56
-
No she isnt. She was told that the money was held in case her father owed any tax, and that once his return is done, her money would be released. The taxes have been filed and done but the money has not been released, and she has been sent around in circles since by its and fidelity Feb 18, 2020 at 18:15
-
Fidelity has excellent customer service. So provided you supply the right documentation the funds should be released soon.– Pete B.Feb 18, 2020 at 18:26
-
@PeteB. If the account is a retirement account, 401k, IRA, does she have to file a personal tax return as the money is counted as income?– mkennedyFeb 18, 2020 at 20:40
-
It is a retirement account, but his wife got the 401k. This is a personal saving retirement account. She has never lived in america or earned in america and therefore never had anything to do with paying taxes in america. Her dads tax returns are up to date and everything has been paid. Feb 18, 2020 at 21:39