If an Adult Dependent of a Tax Payer passes away while owing debt, does any of the Dependent's debt become the responsibility of the Tax Payer who claimed them?

[sjrcpa · Accepted solution]

If the taxpayer guaranteed the debt or cosigned for it, yes.

Otherwise it becomes a liability of the estate only.

[mac20coaching]

Thank you again!!

[sjrcpa]

YW

[BobKamman]

"Claimed as a dependent" is a red herring here.  The taxpayer who claimed the exemption is likely a beneficiary of the estate.  The decedent could have had assets, as well as debt.  Follow the assets -- if they end up with someone before the debts are paid, the recipient may very well be liable, regardless of what happened on a tax return.