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Specific Instructions

Table of Contents

Due Dates

Forms 706 and 706-NA.    The due date for Form 706 and Form 706-NA is 9 months after the date of the decedent's death. If there is no numerically corresponding date in the 9th month, the due date is the last date of the 9th month.

Form 706-A.   Form 706-A is due 6 months after the taxable disposition or cessation of qualified use.

Form 706-D.   Form 706-D is due 6 months after the taxable disposition, cessation of material participation, or disqualifying act.

Form 706-QDT.   Form 706-QDT is due:

  • On or after January 1 but not later than April 15 of the year following any calendar year in which a taxable event occurred, or

  • Nine months after (a) the death of the surviving spouse, or (b) the failure of the trust to qualify as a Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT).

Note.

If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the return is due on the next business day.

Part II. Extension of Time To File Form 706, 706-A, 706-D, 706-NA, or 706-QDT (Section 6081)

Automatic extension.   An executor may apply for an automatic 6-month extension of time to file Form 706, 706-A, 706-D, 706-NA, or 706-QDT. Unless you are an executor who is out of the country (see below), the maximum extension of time to file is 6 months from the original due date of the applicable return. Check the designated box and complete the form as instructed.

  You do not have to explain why you are asking for an automatic extension. However, you must file Form 4768 by the original due date of the applicable return. We will contact you only if your request for extension of time to file is denied. Keep a copy of the form for your records.

Note.

An extension of time to file does not extend the time to pay.

Additional extension.   If you are an executor who is out of the country, you can apply for an additional extension of time to file in excess of the automatic 6-month extension. Check the designated box, complete the form as instructed, and attach the statement described in Part II of Form 4768. For Forms 706-A, 706-D, and 706-QDT, the qualified heir or trustee/designated filer must also include the date and a description of the taxable event.

  You should apply for an automatic 6-month extension and then apply for any additional extension. You cannot combine an application for an automatic extension and an additional extension on the same Form 4768.

  Applications for an additional extension following an automatic extension should be filed early enough to give the IRS time to consider the application before the due date.

Note.

We will contact you only if your request for extension of time to file is denied. Keep a copy of the form for your records.

Extension for Cause

Under Regulations section 20.6081-1(c), an executor who failed to timely apply for an automatic 6-month extension of time to file Form 706 may still apply for an extension of time to file upon a showing of good and sufficient cause.

If you are applying for an extension for cause, you must:

  • Complete Part I;

  • Sign the declaration (on the appropriate line) at the bottom of Form 4768 under penalties of perjury, and if applicable, check the box(es) that apply(ies); and

  • Attach a written statement explaining in detail why:

    1. You were unable to request an automatic extension,

    2. It is impossible or impractical to file Form 706 by the due date, and

    3. You should be granted an extension at this time.


Unless the executor is out of the country, the requested extension cannot be for more than 6 months from the original due date of the Form 706.

Note.

We will contact you only if your request for extension of time to file is denied. Keep a copy of the form for your records.


If a form on extension is not required to be filed after an extension of time to file has been granted.   If you have been granted an automatic extension, additional extension, or extension for cause, and it is later determined that you are not required to file the form extended (that is, Form 706, 706-A, 706-D, 706-NA, or 706-QDT), write a letter to the Internal Revenue Service Center listed under Where To File on page 2, stating that no return is required for the estate. Sending this letter should eliminate any further correspondence with the IRS. Please include with your letter a copy of the Estate's Probate Inventory and Appraisement.

Part III. Extension of Time To Pay (Section 6161)

An extension of time to pay (section 6161(a)(1)) may not exceed 12 months. A discretionary extension of time to pay for reasonable cause (section 6161(a)(2)) may be granted, for 1 year at a time, for up to a maximum of 10 years. A discretionary extension of time to pay a deficiency for reasonable cause (section 6161(b)(2)) may be granted, for 1 year at a time, up to a maximum of 4 years. Different extension periods may apply to extensions of time granted for a section 6163 election (reversionary or remainder interest) or a section 6166 election (closely held business).

The application must establish why it is impossible or impractical for the executor to pay the full amount of the estate tax by the estate tax return due date. Examples of reasonable cause provided in Regulations section 20.6161-1 include the following.

  • An estate includes sufficient liquid assets to pay the estate (and GST) tax when otherwise due. The liquid assets, however, are located in several jurisdictions and are not immediately subject to the control of the executor. Consequently, such assets cannot readily be collected by the executor even with reasonable effort.

  • An estate is comprised, in substantial part, of assets consisting of rights to receive payments in the future (for example, annuities, copyright royalties, contingent fees, or accounts receivable). These assets provide insufficient present cash with which to pay the estate (and GST) tax when otherwise due and the estate cannot borrow against these assets except upon terms that would cause a loss to the estate.

  • An estate includes a claim to substantial assets which cannot be collected without litigation. Consequently, the size of the gross estate is unascertainable at the time the tax is otherwise due.

  • An estate does not have sufficient funds (without borrowing at a rate of interest higher than that generally available) with which to pay the entire estate (and GST) tax when otherwise due, to provide a reasonable allowance during the remaining period of administration of the estate for the decedent's surviving spouse and dependent children, and to satisfy claims against the estate that are due and payable. In addition, the executor has made a reasonable effort to convert assets in the executor's possession (other than an interest in a closely held business to which section 6166 applies) into cash.

In general, an extension of time to pay will be granted only for the amount of the cash shortage. You must show on Part IV the amount of the estate (and GST) tax (attach a copy of the return if it has already been filed; otherwise estimate the tax), the amount of the cash shortage, including a statement of the current assets already distributed, a plan for partial payments during the extension period, and the balance due. To avoid penalties and additional interest, you must pay any balance due with this form.

To assist us in processing the return, read the bulleted items, check the appropriate box, and enter the extension date you are requesting in the box indicated.

See Part V. Notice to Applicant below for details on appeal rights.

Note.

An extension of time to pay does not extend the time to file.

Part IV. Payment To Accompany Extension Request

Interest must be paid on any estate (and GST) tax that is not paid in full by the original due date of the tax return, regardless of whether an extension of time to file and/or pay has been obtained. For this reason, you should pay as much of the tax as possible by the original (not extended) due date of the return.

Paying the tax.   Make the check or money order payable to the “United States Treasury.” Write the decedent's (or qualified heir's) social security number on the payment and the type of return (for example, “Form 706”).

Part V. Notice to Applicant

If you are applying for an extension of time to pay, file page 2 of Form 4768 in duplicate. The IRS will complete Part V and return one copy to the executor. When submitting payment, attach a copy of the approved application. The part of the estate tax for which the extension is granted must be paid with interest from the estate tax due date before the expiration of the extension granted.

Application Denied—Appeal Rights

If your application for extension of time to pay is denied, you may file a written appeal with the IRS. To file an appeal, you must:

  • Send your appeal to the address as advised on the second page of Form 4768 that will be returned to the executor by the IRS (it will provide the reason for the denial and the return address to send the written appeal),

  • Send your appeal by registered or certified mail, and

  • File your appeal within 10 days after the denial is mailed to the executor.

The appeal is considered filed on the date it is postmarked if postmarked timely but received after the 10-day period. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, file by the next business day.

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