Taxes.

A married person who dies during the year is considered married for that tax year. The surviving spouse is also considered married for that tax year. If the surviving spouse does not remarry before the end of the year, a joint return or separate returns must be filed.

A surviving spouse who does remarry may file a joint return with the new spouse, or they may file separate returns with the new spouse. The filing status of the deceased taxpayer in such a case must be married filing separately.

Jerry and Betsy were married. Jerry died on January 27, 2024. On December 1, 2024, Betsy married Harold. Betsy and Harold may file a joint return, or they may file separately, whichever they choose. Jerry’s filing status is married filing separately on his final return. Yeah get right on that will ya Jerry?

If it were up to me, Jerry can rest in peace and not have to worry about his final tax return. I mean after all, hasn’t he been through enough?

If a person who is on Social Security dies after they have received their benefits for the month the remaining spouse or family can keep it. If they die and one more payment is received after death and before the paperwork catches up, then the remaining spouse or family has to return it. Really? After taking money from us cradle to grave, the IRS can’t just call it even? Besides, the cost of returning it and then issuing a measly $255.00 death benefit, is a waste of time and probably cost more in the long run.

If it were up to me, I would say, keep the money we owe you. The IRS wastes billions of dollars each and every month, but counts pennies when someone dies. Government efficiency at it’s best!

Real Estate.

When you buy a house you pay property taxes as well. If you pay the house off, then you still have to pay property taxes or they will take your house. So, technically you never really “own” it. The government does from day one. They profit from the sweat of your brow without actually doing anything worth while to “earn” it.

If it were up to me, once you pay off your house then that should be it. No property taxes, no fees, nothing related to the bureaucrats “taking their fair share”. I say, live your life free of the slavery…..you earned it!

Additionally, when it comes to real estate, did you know the term mortgage is defined as a “death contract” in french? I’ve read that it is so called because, the deal dies either when the debt is paid, or when payment fails, which makes some sense, and is a bit less dramatic than the implication. But, I don’t think it is an accident that such dramatic language is used. Banks know that most people will never pay off their house due to loss of income and / or death of the debtor. Then, the asset gets sold over and over, while they keep making more and more money.

If it were up to me, I would try to formulate a fair contract with light at the end of the tunnel for the person killing themselves for the chance to actually own something. Not sure how that would look, but it’s worth a shot in my opinion.

Thoughts? Let me know below.