My client's son died and was appointed administer of the estate by the courts. We filed the son's tax return and included the courts Certificate of Appointment of Administrator letter.
Yesterday client received the 4883C letter, addressed to the deceased taxpayer, asking to verify identity. Client called IRS and was told this letter is official and that they need to verify identity and needed a prior tax return. Unfortunately client doesn't have a prior year tax return. The IRS wouldn't accept the courts letter for this process of identity verification.
Has anyone had this type of issue? I think the only logical next step is to go to the local IRS office although client would rather not have to.