Estate and trust tax filings are among the most complex returns in the tax code — and executors and trustees often take them on with little preparation. I'm Kevin Burdett, a tax professional based in Columbia, Maryland, with over 20 years of experience preparing estate and trust income tax returns for Maryland families and fiduciaries.
Estates & Trusts
Years Tax Experience
Local & Remote
Direct Access to Kevin
Most people who find themselves serving as executor of an estate or trustee of a trust have never done it before. Along with the emotional weight of losing someone, there are legal deadlines, court filings, creditor obligations — and tax returns that many general tax preparers don’t handle regularly.
Estate and trust income tax returns (Form 1041) require a different skill set than standard individual returns. Income generated by the estate or trust after the date of death, deductions specific to fiduciary accounting, and the proper allocation of income to beneficiaries via Schedule K-1 all need to be handled correctly.
“Getting the estate tax return right protects the executor, protects the beneficiaries, and ensures the estate closes without IRS complications.”
I work directly with executors, trustees, and families in Maryland to handle every required tax filing — clearly, accurately, and on time — so the estate can be settled and closed without tax issues becoming an obstacle.
From the decedent’s final return through the estate’s income tax filings and beneficiary K-1s — here’s a detailed breakdown of every service I provide.
When an estate generates more than $600 in income after the date of death, a Form 1041 must be filed for each tax year the estate remains open. I prepare this return carefully — covering all estate income, allowable deductions, and the correct distribution deduction where applicable.
Services Include
Trusts — including revocable trusts that become irrevocable at death and other non-grantor trusts — are required to file Form 1041 when they generate taxable income. I prepare trust returns accurately, with the appropriate income characterization and beneficiary allocations.
Services Include
A final Form 1040 must be filed for the year in which a person passes away — covering all income earned from January 1 through the date of death. I prepare this return as part of the overall estate tax process, so nothing falls through the gaps.
Services Include
Each beneficiary who receives a distribution from an estate or trust needs a Schedule K-1 reporting their share of income, deductions, and credits. Beneficiaries use the K-1 to complete their own personal tax returns — and errors here create problems downstream.
Services Include
Most executors and trustees take on the role without fully understanding the tax filings it requires. I work directly with fiduciaries — explaining each obligation clearly, identifying every deadline, and handling the preparation and filing personally so you can focus on settling the estate.
I also coordinate across all required returns — the decedent’s final Form 1040, the estate’s Form 1041, and the beneficiary K-1s — so nothing is missed and the filings are consistent with each other.
Tax Filings That May Be Required
Estate and trust tax situations involve multiple parties — each with different needs and questions. I work with all of them personally.
Individuals named in a will to administer an estate who need to understand and fulfill their tax filing obligations before the estate can be closed and assets distributed.
Trustees of irrevocable trusts, testamentary trusts, and other non-grantor trusts that generate taxable income and require annual Form 1041 filings.
Beneficiaries of estates and trusts who receive a Schedule K-1 and need guidance on what it means and how to report their share of income correctly on their own return.
Families navigating the tax obligations that arise after losing a loved one — including the final individual return and any required estate or trust filings.
Trustees managing real estate assets — rental income, property sales, and depreciation all create specific tax reporting obligations within the trust return.
Estates and trusts that hold investment accounts, brokerage assets, or property that is sold during the estate settlement process — with capital gains reporting handled correctly.
These are the most common estate and trust tax situations Maryland executors, trustees, and families bring to me.
You've been named executor and want to fulfill the role correctly — but you're not sure which tax returns are required, when they're due, or what information you need to gather.
The estate is still generating income — from rental property, investments, or pending asset sales — and annual Form 1041 filings are required for each year it remains open.
The line between what was the decedent's income before death and what belongs to the estate afterward can be unclear — and reporting it in the wrong place creates problems.
Beneficiaries have received a K-1 and aren't sure what it means, how to report it on their own return, or why the income character matters for their tax bill.
Asset sales during estate settlement create capital gains reporting obligations — and the basis calculation at death (stepped-up basis) needs to be handled correctly.
The estate has been open for multiple years and one or more Form 1041 returns were missed — creating an unfiled return situation that needs to be resolved before the estate closes.
Estate and trust tax filings have strict deadlines. Here’s how I work with executors and trustees from the first call through completed filings.
We talk through the situation — who passed away, what the estate or trust holds, what income it has generated, and what your role is as executor or trustee. I identify which returns are required and when they're due. No charge, no obligation.
I provide a clear list of what I need — income statements, asset information, the date of death, beneficiary details, and any prior returns. I review everything and flag any gaps before work begins.
You receive a clear, fixed-price quote for the work required — covering all returns needed. No hourly billing and no charges that appear at the end of the process.
I prepare every required return — the decedent's final Form 1040, the estate or trust Form 1041, Schedule K-1s for beneficiaries, and Maryland state returns — coordinated as a complete package so they're consistent with each other.
Before filing, I walk you through every return. Once approved, I file everything correctly. If the estate remains open in subsequent years, I handle the ongoing annual Form 1041 filings until the estate is closed.
Every estate and trust tax engagement is handled personally by me. You'll never be passed to a junior preparer or someone unfamiliar with fiduciary tax. When you have a question, I know your situation and I'll give you a direct answer.
I've been preparing individual, business, estate, and trust returns for more than two decades. Estate and trust tax is a specialized area — and I handle it with the precision and attention it requires.
I prepare the final Form 1040, the Form 1041, and the beneficiary K-1s as a coordinated package — so all filings are consistent, complete, and correctly related to each other.
Most executors have never served in the role before. I explain every tax obligation clearly, identify every deadline, and handle the paperwork — so you can focus on settling the estate without tax complexity becoming a burden.
You'll know exactly what the work costs before it begins. No hourly billing, no surprise charges for additional forms or schedules, and no fees that only appear at the end of the engagement.
I'm based in Columbia, Maryland and work with clients locally and remotely. Every step — document review, return preparation, and filing — can be handled securely online if needed.
Form 1041 is the U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts. It must be filed when an estate or trust generates more than $600 in gross income during the tax year. As executor or trustee, you're responsible for ensuring it's filed — I handle the preparation and filing personally.
Yes. A final Form 1040 must be filed for the tax year in which the person passed away, covering all income earned from January 1 through the date of death. I prepare this alongside the estate's Form 1041 so all filings are coordinated correctly.
Schedule K-1 reports each beneficiary's share of the estate or trust's income, deductions, and credits for the year. Beneficiaries need it to report their allocated share on their own personal tax returns. I prepare K-1s for all beneficiaries as part of the Form 1041 filing and can help beneficiaries understand how to use them.
Form 1041 is due on the 15th day of the 4th month following the close of the estate's tax year — generally April 15 if the estate uses a calendar year. Extensions are available. An estate must file for every year it remains open and generates income above the filing threshold.
As executor, you are responsible for filing the decedent's final individual return, the estate's income tax return (Form 1041) if applicable, and preparing Schedule K-1s for beneficiaries. You may also need to address a federal estate tax return (Form 706) depending on the estate's size. I'll identify everything that applies to your situation during our initial consultation.
Yes. Every estate and trust tax engagement is handled personally by me — not a junior staff member, not an outsourced preparer, and not someone who has to review your file before answering a question. You have direct access to me throughout the entire process.
Maryland is my primary service area, but I work remotely with clients in other states as well. All document review, return preparation, and filing can be handled securely online.
Estate and trust tax filings are complex — but you don’t have to navigate them alone. I’ll identify every required return, handle the preparation personally, and make sure everything is filed accurately and on time.
© 2023 Barney & Company – All Rights Reserved
