Filling out a form W9 for a deceased taxpayer
Aunt's daughter passed away. The daughter has no estate to speak of, just some personal items. However, she does have some vacation pay coming. My Aunt contacted the employer to see how to get that check sent to her and they want her to fill out a W-9??? in order to get the last of her daughter's pay. So, in the top of W-9 where it asks for name and ss # of the one claiming the money, is that the Aunt's information they are asking for? It seems like this may not be the correct form?? This is for a rather small sum less than $1000. She has other forms they sent her as well, and also the death certificate she is sending. The Aunt will need the check made out to her of course. And of course, the deceased daughter cannot sign any forms! I wonder why they even want the W-9. I've read all the instructions on a W-9 I found on the IRS site and can't find anything regarding a deceased issue.
Box 1 says "Name as shown on your income tax return" - who's name? The deceased or the beneficiary? Seems it should be the mother of the deceased? Or they'll send a check made out to the deceased and back to square one!
