Estate & Trust Compliance
Prepare fiduciary tax returns and beneficiary reporting from trust or estate accounting records.
Online service across all 50 states
What this service is
When someone passes away, or a trust earns income, a separate tax return is often required: Form 1041 for the estate's or trust's income, Form 706 when an estate is large enough for estate tax, and K-1s telling each beneficiary what to report. We prepare those returns, help executors and trustees keep fiduciary accounting records, review the tax effect of distribution timing, and work with the estate attorney so filings and legal steps stay in sync.
Forms & documents involved
What we actually do
Prepare Form 1041
Prepare federal and state fiduciary income tax returns for estates and trusts.
Prepare beneficiary K-1s
Report each beneficiary's share of distributed income.
Review distribution timing
Model how the timing and size of distributions shift tax between the trust and beneficiaries.
Keep fiduciary accounting
Track estate or trust receipts, disbursements, principal, and income.
Coordinate the estate tax return
Prepare or coordinate Form 706 and portability elections with the estate attorney.
Prepare the decedent's final return
File the final Form 1040 for the year of death.
Prices by scope
Compare the work included at each price. Your final scope and fee are confirmed in writing before work begins.
Per entity; scales with number of assets and beneficiaries.
- Simple trustBrokerage income, up to 2 beneficiaries$620 per year
- Complex trustDistributions, DNI and several asset types$1,080 per year
- Estate or business assetsFinal-year estate, K-1s received or rentalsFrom $1,580 per year
First two beneficiaries included in the base 1041 price.
- StandardPro-rata distribution$70 per K-1
- Special allocationsNon-pro-rata or in-kind distributions$120 per K-1
One-time project fee for the estate settlement period.
- Small estateUnder $2M, mostly liquid assets$1,380
- Mid-size estate$2M–$10M, real estate or business interests$2,680
- Large estateOver $10M or several statesFrom $4,480
Income and principal accounting for the trust's annual period.
- SimpleUp to 5 accounts$780 per year
- ComplexReal estate, business interests or several sub-trusts$1,380 per year
For estates exceeding the federal filing threshold; scales with estate complexity.
- Portability electionFiled to preserve the unused exclusion$2,280
- Taxable estateLiquid assets and real estate$4,880
- Complex estateClosely held business, valuation discountsFrom $8,800
What You Get
Form 1041 Preparation
Annual income tax return preparation for trusts and estates, including distributable net income calculations and distribution deduction planning.
Estate Administration Support
Tax-side support during estate administration, asset valuation coordination, final individual return, and the estate's own filing obligations.
Beneficiary K-1 Reporting
Accurate, well-documented K-1 preparation and distribution to beneficiaries on a schedule that respects their own filing deadlines.
Fiduciary Accounting
Income and principal accounting that satisfies fiduciary duty requirements and gives beneficiaries a transparent view of trust activity.
Estate Tax Return (Form 706) Coordination
Coordination with estate counsel and appraisers on federal estate tax return preparation for estates that exceed the filing threshold.
- Compliance calendar and filing schedule
- Filing package coordination checklist
- Advisor coordination summary
When this service may fit
- Estate or trust filing obligations are active and need clear ownership
- Recurring fiduciary compliance is becoming too important for ad-hoc coordination
- Legal documents and tax reporting need tighter alignment
- The family wants a calmer, more reliable estate or trust compliance process
Often handled together
Clients who use this service often add these. Tick any to see the combined starting price.
How It Works
Structure discovery and document intake
Review governing documents, fiduciary authority, prior returns, asset records, and distributions during the period.
Compliance mapping
Reconcile income and expenses and identify allocation, basis, and beneficiary reporting questions with the fiduciary.
Execution through filing deadlines
Prepare the agreed fiduciary filings and beneficiary information, coordinating legal interpretation with counsel where needed.
Annual refresh and updates
Deliver the filing package and identify records or distribution decisions that need attention in the next reporting period.
Your Role
The fiduciary provides complete accountings and governing documents, confirms distributions, and authorizes returns and payments.
Service Scope
Trust drafting, probate administration, estate litigation, appraisals, and estate or gift tax returns are not automatically included in an income tax filing engagement.
Start Estate & Trust Compliance online
Choose the closest scope and send your request online. We’ll confirm the final work and fee in writing before anything begins.
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