Ian Bryzek, CPA
A surviving spouse inherits an IRA
A surviving spouse's inherited IRA question should begin with the actual account and beneficiary records.
A spouse may be both grieving and sorting through accounts built over decades. The account title, designation, and dates matter more than a verbal description of the intended outcome.
Tax handling depends on the particular facts, including the account and the beneficiary relationship.
Build the account file
Tax handling depends on the particular facts, including the account and the beneficiary relationship.
- IRA statements
- beneficiary confirmation
- prior-year tax returns
What to gather
- IRA statements
- beneficiary confirmation
- prior-year tax returns
Who usually handles what
- Ian can organize the tax reporting questions and records for this situation.
- An estate attorney should address beneficiary rights, ownership, trust terms, and authority to act before tax conclusions are made.
A practical next step
Have the custodian confirm the account status, then review the facts with a CPA.
Questions about title, probate authority, trust meaning, or a beneficiary's legal rights belong with an estate attorney. Start with the Professionals directory: /professionals/
Related guides
This is general tax information, not tax or legal advice. Outcomes depend on the documents, ownership, timing, and law that apply to the particular facts.