10 Feb I overpaid taxes for my deceased aunt. Can I get a refund?

Q. I was the executor of my aunt’s estate and overpaid around $800 in taxes. Is there any chance that I could get that reimbursed?
— Executor

A. We’re sorry to hear about your aunt.

Indeed, it can be complicated to finalize final tax returns after someone’s death.

It is possible to get a refund from the taxing authority, said Catherine Romania, an estate planning attorney with Witman Stadtmauer in Florham Park.

The key, though, is how much time has passed, she said.

“If too much time has passed, then the statute of limitations for filing an amended tax return to ask for such refund prevents the taxing agency from paying the refund,” Romania said. “Assuming you overpaid $800 in income taxes on behalf of your aunt or her estate, you can amend the income tax return to claim a refund provided the amended return is filed within three years from the due date of the original return or two years from the time the tax was paid, whichever is later.”

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This story was originally published on Feb. 10, 2023.

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