Income In Respect of a Decedent
Income in respect of a decedent (IRS) refers to income that a deceased individual was due to receive over the course of a tax year if he or she had not passed away. IRD can have tax implications.
Additional details about how to properly report IRD to the IRS can be found below.
What is IRD?
Income which the decedent would have received had the death not occurred and which isn’t properly included on the decedent’s final return is IRD. It retains the same character as it would have had if the decedent had received it. Examples of typical types of IRD include amounts received after the decedent’s death as compensation for his or her personal services, retirement plan distributions, investment income, and installment notes collected.
Who Reports IRD?
The income must be reported by the decedent’s estate and the beneficiary, or any other person whom the estate designates as having the right to receive it.
“ Example 1 : James was a cash-basis farmer who grew avocados. Although he sold and delivered 1,000 bushels of avocados for $3,000, he died before receiving payment for them. When the estate was settled, payment had still not been made. The estate transferred the right to receive the $3,000 to James’ wife, Shirley. Shirley will include the income on her return for the year she receives it. ”
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