How do I find the tax ID number for the estate of the deceased?

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To find the Tax ID Number (TIN) for the estate of someone who has died, you must provide certain information to show that you are legally allowed to receive tax information of a deceased person or of the estate in question.

EIN Number For Estate Of Deceased

To find the Tax ID of the estate of a deceased person, you must furnish the IRS with the following, along with your info request:

  • The deceased person’s legal name, social security number, and address
  • A copy of the death certificate
  • Either a court approved copy of Letters Testamentary, or an IRS Form 56 if there is no need for court approval.

What Is Letters Testamentary?

Letters Testamentary is created by the court during probate. Depending on what state you’re in, they may be called Letters of Representation or Letters of Administration.

The document allows the estate executor, administrator, or representative of the deceased, authority to manage the affairs of the decedent and their estate. This letter is vital to find the Tax ID of the estate of the deceased.

What Is The Purpose of Form 56?

IRS Form 56 alerts the IRS of the existence of a fiduciary relationship and is necessary when you are trying to find the Tax ID of the estate of a deceased person.
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A fiduciary, such as an executor, administrator or trustee, takes the position of a taxpayer and acts as the taxpayer. Proper documents showing the legal ability to act on behalf of the deceased person, such as a will, need to be attached to Form 56 when you apply for one.

Apply for an EIN Number

If you could not find the Tax ID of the estate of the deceased, you can apply for a new number by furnishing the relevant documents. If you just applied for an Employer Identification Number, you can check your EIN status by entering your order number or e-mail address under Order Status on our website.

Select Your Entity Type to Apply for a Federal Tax ID Today