Loopholes > Federal > Executor Discharge from Personal Liability
DEDUCTION MEDIUM SAVINGS ESTATE

Executor Discharge from Personal Liability

IRC §6905

Allows an executor to request a discharge from personal liability for the decedent's income and gift taxes by filing a written application after the tax return is filed.

Eligibility

Available to executors or administrators of a decedent's estate who have filed the required tax returns and wish to limit their personal financial exposure to future tax deficiencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Executor Discharge from Personal Liability?

Available to executors or administrators of a decedent's estate who have filed the required tax returns and wish to limit their personal financial exposure to future tax deficiencies.

How does the Executor Discharge from Personal Liability work?

Allows an executor to request a discharge from personal liability for the decedent's income and gift taxes by filing a written application after the tax return is filed.

What law authorizes the Executor Discharge from Personal Liability?

The Executor Discharge from Personal Liability is authorized under IRC §6905 of the Internal Revenue Code (Title 26, United States Code).

Statutory Text — IRC §6905

Source: Internal Revenue Code, Title 26, United States Code

§ 6905. Discharge of executor from personal liability for decedent’s income and gift taxes(a) Discharge of liabilityIn the case of liability of a decedent for taxes imposed by subtitle A or by chapter 12, if the executor makes written application (filed after the return with respect to such taxes is made and filed in such manner and such form as may be prescribed by regulations of the Secretary) for release from personal liability for such taxes, the Secretary may notify the executor of the amount of such taxes. The executor, upon payment of the amount of which he is notified, or 9 months after receipt of the application if no notification is made by the Secretary before such date, shall be discharged from personal liability for any deficiency in such tax thereafter found to be due, and shall be entitled to a receipt or writing showing such discharge. (b) Definition of executorFor purposes of this section, the term “executor” means the executor or administrator of the decedent appointed, qualified, and acting within the United States. (c) Cross referenceFor discharge of executor from personal liability for taxes imposed under chapter 11, see section 2204. (Added Pub. L. 91–614, title I, § 101(e)(1), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1837; amended Pub. L. 91–614, title I, § 101(f), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1838; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834.) Editorial Notes Amendments1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–455 struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing. 1970—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 91–614, § 101(f), substituted “9 months” for “1 year”. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries Effective Date of 1970 AmendmentPub. L. 91–614, title I, § 101(f), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1838, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective with respect to the estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1973. Effective DateSection effective with respect to decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1970, see section 101(j) of Pub. L. 91–614, set out as an Effective Date of 1970 Amendment note under section 2032 of this title.