Information
None of us likes to think about the day someone close to us might die, and when it does happen the shock can be overwhelming, even for an anticipated death. But knowing what to do can relieve some stress from an already stressful situation.
Deceased Estates Information
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An expected death at home is not urgent but a doctor needs to provide death certification.
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If the death happens in a hospital or care facility, staff will assist you.
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Grief support services can help you and your family with the loss of your family member or friend.
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You may need to make decisions about organ and tissue donation.
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An autopsy may be requested for an unexpected death.
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An unexpected death must be reported to police and is dealt with by the coroner.
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A doctor must sign the death certificate before funeral arrangements can be made.
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The funeral director may register the death with Births, Deaths and Marriages.
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The funeral may be already organized and prepaid or you may have to organize it yourself.
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You must notify various organizations when someone has died.
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Tick the legal boxes Before you even think about property, you must ensure that the estate’s legalities are in order
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There may be financial issues that affect you that you need to deal with after a person has died.
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Wills and powers of attorney
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There are some important tax and superannuation issues for the executor and the beneficiaries doing tax returns for a deceased person, doing trust tax returns for a deceased estate
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Decide on the property’s future
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Deceased estate management services
Deceased Estates Information
YES - Determine who is the executor or administrator of the will.
NO - Contact the public trustee External Link in your state or territory to determine if they will act on behalf of the deceased person. If so, they will take the action required.
YES.
NO - You may need to provide further information if you wish to establish authority to deal with the tax affairs of the deceased person.
Complete the Notification of a deceased person form.
Refer to Tax return for a deceased person for when you need to lodge a tax return.
You should also check for outstanding income tax returns for previous years.
Refer to Trust return for a deceased estate for details of when you need to lodge.
As a deceased estate is considered a trust, you need to complete a TFN application for a deceased estate form
Use the Trust tax return and the accompanying Trust tax return instructions. Special instructions for trustees of deceased estates are available in the Appendices of the instructions.
You will need to lodge a tax return each financial year until the deceased estate has been fully administered and no longer has a tax liability.