File the final income tax returns of a deceased person for current and prior years, pay any balance due and claim the refund. File an estate income tax return.A surviving spouse should file a joint return for the year of death and write in the signature area "filing as surviving spouse. The next step will be to get a tax ID number. Payableondeath bank accounts allow a bank to release funds to a named beneficiary on the account holder's death without the beneficiary having to go to court. Most relatively simple estates do not require the filing of an estate tax return. You can request copies of bank statements, mortgage documents, and other financial information from the deceased person's bank or financial institution. Generally, the estate tax return is due nine months after the date of death. A six month extension is available if requested prior to the due date. Probate is the legal process to distribute a person's property after they die.