Beneficiaries receive K-1s if there are items of income, gain/loss, deductions, or credits they need to report on their tax returns as a result of the pass through from the estate or trust. They do not prepare the 8949 for the estate or trust.
If you received a gift or inheritance, do not include it in your income. However, if the gift or inheritance later produces income, you will need to pay tax on that income. Example: You inherit and deposit cash that earns interest income. Include only the interest earned in your gross income, not the inherited cash.
Schedule K-1 is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax form issued annually for an investment in a partnership. The purpose of Schedule K-1 is to report each partner's share of the partnership's earnings, losses, deductions, and credits. Schedule K-1 serves a similar purpose as Form 1099.
Schedule K-1 is a tax document that you might receive if you are the beneficiary of a trust or estate. This document reports a beneficiary's share of income, deductions and credits from the trust or estate.
As far as K-1 distributions are concerned, they are generally not considered taxable income.
You must report any income you receive passed through from the estate to you and reported on a Schedule K-1 (1041) on your income tax return. In addition, any property you receive from the estate will typically be considered valued at its fair market value at the date of the original owner's death.
The partnership files a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) with the IRS. For your protection, Schedule K-1 may show only the last four digits of your identifying number (social security number (SSN), etc.). However, the partnership has reported your complete identifying number to the IRS.
The IRS doesn't expect individuals to file a K-1. However, they will compare your tax return to the information filed by your partnership. Partnerships that don't meet their Schedule K-1 responsibilities can also face expensive filing penalties.
Certain entities and partnerships file Schedule K-1 forms with the IRS and issue them forms to partners and shareholders. While individual taxpayers typically don't file K-1 forms, you can use the information you receive from a K-1 on your personal income tax return.
Another key difference: While there is no federal inheritance tax, there is a federal estate tax. The federal estate tax generally applies to assets over $13.61 million in 2024 and $13.99 million in 2025, and the federal estate tax rate ranges from 18% to 40%.
Inheritance checks are generally not reported to the IRS unless they involve cash or cash equivalents exceeding $10,000. Banks and financial institutions are required to report such transactions using Form 8300. Most inheritances are paid by regular check, wire transfer, or other means that don't qualify for reporting.
In most cases, an inheritance isn't subject to income taxes. The assets passed on in an investment or bank account aren't considered taxable income, nor is life insurance. However, you could pay income taxes on the assets in pre-tax accounts.
If there is an amount on Schedule K-1 (568), line 13e, column (c), enter this amount on the applicable line of Schedule CA (540 or 540NR). Get the instructions for federal Schedule K-1 (Form 1065), box 13, for examples of other deductions. Also get FTB Pub.
This means that when the beneficiary withdraws those monies from the accounts, the beneficiary will receive a 1099 from the company administering the plan and must report that income on their income tax return (and must pay income taxes on the sum).
For the inheritance process to begin, a will must be submitted to probate. The probate court reviews the will, authorizes an executor and legally transfers assets to beneficiaries as outlined. Before the transfer, the executor will settle any of the deceased's remaining debts.
You are subject to tax on your share of the estate's or trust's income, and you must include your share on your individual tax return. Schedule K-1 (541), column (b) shows amounts from your federal Schedule K-1 (Form 1041), Beneficiary's Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc.
All corporations must file a tax return, even if it was inactive or didn't receive income. An S-corporation or LLC taxed as an S-corporation will file Form 1120-S and Schedule K-1 for federal income tax purposes.
Purpose of Form
Use Schedule K-1 to report a beneficiary's share of the estate's or trust's income, credits, deductions, etc., on your Form 1040 or 1040-SR. Keep it for your records. Don't file it with your tax return, unless backup withholding was reported in box 13, code B.
Federal tax laws do not consider most inherited assets to be taxable income.
1) K-1s Aren't Due Until March 15th
This April 15th due date makes it very challenging for taxpayers. Their individual income tax return is due the same day. You can't file your individual income tax return without your K-1s.
The K-1 isn't filed with your tax return, unless backup withholding was reported in box 13, code B. 10 Keep it with your records. The trust or estate files a copy of Schedule K-1/Form 1041 with the IRS.
Schedule K-1 will show you your self-employment earnings from the partnership or LLC you're a member of. So you will need to pay self-employment tax on that amount. But, like anything IRS-related, there are a few exceptions.
Each state has different estate tax laws, but the federal government limits how much estate tax is collected. Any estate worth more than $11.8 million is subject to estate tax, and the amount taken out goes on a sliding scale depending on how much more than $11.8 million the estate is worth.
The CPA or EA often handles the actual return preparation and some representation of the estate in matters with the IRS. However, some attorneys handle all of the work. CPAs and EAs may also handle most of the work but cannot take care of probate matters and other situations where a law license is required.