IRS Announces Delay in Consistent Basis Notice to Beneficiaries Rules

I recently wrote about the provisions of the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 that require estates to give statements to beneficiaries regarding the basis of property if an estate tax return is required to be filed, generally within 30 days of the due date of the return.

The IRS has now issued guidance delaying taxpayer obligations to follow the new rules. The Notice provides:

For statements required under sections 6035(a)(1) and (a)(2) to be filed with the IRS or furnished to a beneficiary before February 29, 2016, the due date under section 6035(a)(3) is delayed to February 29, 2016.  This delay is to allow the Treasury Department and IRS to issue guidance implementing the reporting requirements of section 6035.  Executors and other persons required to file or furnish a statement under section 6035(a)(1) or (a)(2) should not do so until the issuance of forms or further guidance by the Treasury Department and the IRS addressing the requirement s of section 6035. (emphasis added)

Notice 2015-57