1041 tax year

[nancyclayton]

I don't usually do 1041 returns, but last year for a family member I did theirs. They choose a fiscal year (short year) for the first year thinking it was the first and final year, now because of the lawyers
they need to file a second year, can they change to a calender year to make things easier?

[appelman]

Not usually.

You would need to seek permission from the IRS on Form 1128, and there's no reason to think it would be granted.

[Corduroy Frog]

Question

Has the 1041 for the short year been filed yet? If not, I might consider filing up to the maximum time allowed (last day of 11th month after death), and if this is the first return, they'll probably accept it.

If you've already filed the first 1041, you're probably toast. It will be easier to file another timely 1041 at the appropriate time than to get the IRS to change...