How to Complete Federal Estate Tax Form 706
- 1). Determine whether you must file Form 706 if you are the executor of a decedent's estate. Add any adjusted taxable gifts to the total exemption amount of any gifts made by the decedent and combine that amount with the decedent's taxable gross estate as valued on the day of death. The gross estate encompasses all property and interests owned by the decedent, including annuities and receivables
- 2). Begin completing Form 706 by listing your personal information in Part I if you are the executor. Then start subtracting the various deductions available for decedents on line 3b. The State Death Tax Deduction allows the executor to reduce the amount of the taxable estate by any death, estate, inheritance, legacy or successor taxes paid to any state other than Washington, D.C.
- 3). Apply the remaining amount of Unified Credit allowed to the decedent on lines 9 and 10 of the Form 706. Use Part 3 of the form to elect the Alternative Valuation date if you feel this will be beneficial. This rule allows you as the executor to specify that the estate be valued as of exactly 9 months after the date of death of the decedent instead of on the day of death. You would choose this option because you believe that the value of the estate will be assessed less than 9 months after the decedent's death, thus lowering the value of the taxable estate and the subsequent tax assessed.
- 4). Complete the rest of Form 706 by providing a breakdown of all property in the estate and their respective values, as well as a list of what has been bequeathed to any beneficiaries. Don't forget to complete all relevant schedules breaking down the decedent's debts and expenses, including funeral costs, as well as charitable gifts and bequests.
- 5). File Form 706 within 9 months of the date of the decedent's death. Mail your completed Form 706 to:
Dept. of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Center
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Include a check payable to the U.S. Treasury with the decedent's name, Social Security number and "Form 706" printed on the front.
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