How Do I File Taxes for a Deceased Person in Wisconsin?
Find out which tax returns you need to file after someone dies. See state-specific forms, deadlines, and whether tax clearance is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
At minimum, a final federal income tax return (Form 1040) and a final Wisconsin income tax return (Form 1 (Wisconsin Income Tax Return)) must be filed for income earned through the date of death.Wis. Stat. §§ 71.13(2), 71.13, 71.06(1r)Verified Jul 14, 2026 If the estate earns income during administration, a federal fiduciary return (Form 1041) and Wisconsin fiduciary return (Form 2 (Wisconsin Fiduciary Income Tax for Estates and Trusts)) may also be required.
The final federal and Wisconsin income tax returns are due april 15 following year of death.Wis. Stat. §§ 71.13(2), 71.13, 71.06(1r)Verified Jul 14, 2026 The fiduciary return is due april 15 (calendar year); same due date as federal form 1041. automatic 6-month extension to october 15..
No. Wisconsin does not require a formal tax clearance certificate for estate distribution. No Wisconsin estate tax is due: the ch. 72 pickup tax was switched off by its own sunset, Wis. Stat. § 72.36, which excludes "deaths occurring after December 31, 2012, unless the federal estate tax law is modified to provide a federal estate tax credit for state death taxes." (No tax was payable in practice from 2005 onward, once EGTRRA zeroed the federal credit the levy is measured by, but the statutory switch-off date is 2012.) Wisconsin has no inheritance tax. However, under Wis. Stat. § 71.13(2), the personal representative must file all required income tax returns before the court grants final discharge of the estate. This is a filing obligation, not a clearance certificate issued by DOR.Wis. Stat. §§ 71.13(2), 71.13, 71.06(1r)Verified Jul 14, 2026 All tax obligations must be satisfied before making final distributions.
Yes. Estate size does not affect the requirement to file a final income tax return. A final Form 1040 is required regardless of estate value if the deceased had income. What smaller estates typically avoid is the federal estate tax return (Form 706).
The executor named in the will (or the court-appointed administrator) is responsible for filing the final income tax return and any estate tax returns. If the deceased was married, the surviving spouse can file a joint federal return for the year of death. For trust assets, the successor trustee handles fiduciary tax returns. The Wisconsin estate settlement plan covers all filing responsibilities in order.
No. Wisconsin does not impose a state estate tax or inheritance tax. The primary tax filings after death are income tax related (final return and, if applicable, estate income tax return). See how Wisconsin compares with the death tax calculator.
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