The Dead Have Returned - Or Just Got Better

[dascpa]

This is a new one. Long-time client told me wife died and he was head of household. Dead wife contacts me today to ask if I could handle her return this year.  

[George4Tacks]

And your answer was? 

Was this through physical psychic, or a just an ethereal psychic? 

Have you confirmed that the long time client really was alive?

Oh, so many questions.

THANKS FOR SHARING!

[Frustrated-in-IL]

Is your client in Utah?  Is he the guy from Sister Wives? 

[Skylane]

LOL… and I thought I’ve heard everything… Breakups are a PITA…. I only do them when I can prepare return(s) for both… and I decide the proper/best way to proceed… my default is always to determine the method that will result in the least tax and then I fairly allocate the tax burden between them… they don’t have to talk to each other but they do have to agree that I will handle it and they will do what they’re told.

[dascpa]

Update - it wasn't dead, it was Bruce Wayne type of dead.

Confronted client, ready to terminate. Apparently sometime a few years after the birth of their child mom left. No one could find her. Private investigator was hired. Couldn't find her. Client said it was severe depression. So after time she was declared deceased. Years later when the child was ready for college mom reappears and wants to connect with the child.  Both dad and child said no. But mom has stayed in the area hoping it will change.

Let's see what strangeness today will bring.

[Skylane]

If she was legally declared dead, did SSA benefits for the child kick in? Was there life insurance? Did mom subsequently work under her SSN?
Maybe file return with unclear position (utp)… I’ve never done this… maybe others can give insight 

[sjrcpa]

Wow! That is a new one.