Making Sense of Estate Tax Returns: The Simple Version

When someone passes away, their money, home, and belongings might need something called an "estate tax return." Think of this like a special report card that tells the government what the person owned and how much it was worth. Not everyone needs to file this report—it's usually only needed if the person had quite a lot of money and things (over $13 million in 2025).

Filing an estate tax return can be tricky, like solving a giant puzzle. First, you need to list everything the person owned and figure out what it's all worth. This includes houses, cars, bank accounts, investments, jewelry, and other valuable items. Then you calculate if any taxes are owed, which depends on who gets the belongings and if the person gave away money before they passed away.

The hardest part is that this puzzle has a deadline—usually 9 months after the person dies. Missing this deadline can result in extra fees, like late homework penalties but much more expensive. There are also special forms to fill out correctly, and sometimes professional appraisers need to determine the value of unique items like artwork or family businesses.

At Bayside Law, we help families solve this puzzle every day. We understand these complicated tax forms and can guide you through each step, making sure everything is filed correctly and on time. If you're handling a loved one's estate and aren't sure about tax requirements, don't worry alone. Contact Bayside Law today for a friendly conversation about how we can help make this process simpler for your family. (251) 716-8318 or kayla@baysidelawllc.com.