Relative suddenly died, was filling in a Form S11

Hi,
A relative suddenly died and we're attempting to sort out any outstanding affairs. While looking through his documents we can see he was filling out a Form S11 tax return.

Does anyone know what happens to the tax affairs of someone who is deceased?

I know we'll have to inform Revenue that the person is deceased so as to prevent future tax returns been requested of them but what of any potential outstanding balances in terms of self-assessment tax? There doesn't appear to be sufficient paperwork to complete the partially filled in S11...

The Revenue should be advised that he died - but, to be frank, it's not something that needs to be at the top of the list of things to deal with. They are used to this sort of situation, and will co-operate in trying to get any tax liability regularised.

If there is a will, an executor should deal with things; if there is no will, an administator will be responsible. The appointment of an executor or administrator is done by the Probate Office, as an agent of the court (obviously, people need to apply to be appointed).

Tax liability does not disappear when the taxpayer dies. But the Revenue are reasonable people and try to be helpful, so it should be possible to work out a settlement, even if there is an element of estimation.

The Bereavement Guide, published by the Citizens Information Board, deals with this in Ch 4 in the section ‘Tax in the Year of Death’.