Yes! You can use AI to fill out Form 8855, Election To Treat a Qualified Revocable Trust

Form 8855 has a Form Complexity Index of 41 out of 100, placing it in the basic complexity tier. This score is calculated deterministically from the form’s own structure using Instafill’s published Form Complexity Index methodology, so it can be reproduced and independently verified — it is not a subjective estimate.

For Form 8855 specifically, the score reflects 23 fillable fields across 2 pages, grouped into 10 sections, 1 table or repeating lists, plus 2 pages of printed instructions. The number of fields is the largest factor in the base score (weighted 36%), followed by how difficult those fields are to complete based on their type, where free-text and signature fields count for more than simple checkboxes (26%). The number of pages that actually contain fields (15%), the amount of conditional “fill-only-if” logic (16%), and how many sections the form is divided into (7%) account for the rest of the base. On top of that base, the index adds points for tables and repeating lists, bundled instruction pages, and dense page layouts — capturing difficulty the base alone can miss.

In practical terms, a basic score means the form is relatively light, but still needs careful, accurate entry. Instafill removes that effort entirely: our AI reads your information, maps each value to the correct field — including the conditional ones — and completes Form 8855 accurately in under a minute, with every field available for you to review before you download. See exactly how the Form Complexity Index is calculated.

Form 8855, also known as the "Election To Treat a Qualified Revocable Trust as Part of an Estate," is a tax form used to make an election to include a Qualified Revocable Trust (QRT) as part of an estate for federal estate tax purposes. This election allows the estate to use the decedent's unified credit to reduce or eliminate estate taxes on the trust's assets.

Form 8855 should be filed by the executor or the filing trustee of the QRT. It is important to note that the election can only be made on a timely filed estate tax return (Form 1041) or within two years of the decedent's death, whichever is earlier.

Part I of Form 8855 requires the identification of the decedent, the name and taxpayer identification number (TIN) of the executor or filing trustee, and the name and TIN of the trust. Additionally, it asks for the date of death and the date the election is being made.

The executor or filing trustee is responsible for making the section 645 election on behalf of the estate or trust. They must ensure that the election is made in a timely manner and that all required information is accurately reported on Form 8855. Failure to make the election or to file the form correctly may result in additional taxes and penalties.

A qualified revocable trust (QRT) is a trust that was created by the decedent during their lifetime and retained the power to revoke or amend the trust. For the purpose of the section 645 election, a QRT is defined as a trust that was in existence on the decedent's date of death and that was a grantor trust for federal income tax purposes. The trust must also meet certain other requirements, such as not being a complex trust or a grantor retained annuity trust.

An electing trust is a qualified revocable trust that has elected to be included in the estate of the person who established the trust for federal estate tax purposes. This election allows the trust to be treated as part of the estate for tax purposes, which can have implications for estate tax liability and the filing of estate tax returns. The trust must meet certain requirements to be considered an electing trust, including being a trust that could have been included in the decedent's estate if the decedent had not made the election.

The election period for an electing trust is generally within nine months after the decedent's death. However, if the decedent was a nonresident alien at the time of death, the election period may be longer. The election can be made by filing Form 8855, Application for Portability of Estate and Gift Tax Exemption, with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The applicable date for determining the estate tax liability for an electing trust is the date of the decedent's death. This means that the value of the trust's assets at the time of the decedent's death is used to determine the estate tax liability, even if the trust continues to exist and grow after the decedent's death. The decedent's unified credit or exemption amount can be used to offset the estate tax liability.

Form 8855 must be filed with the IRS within the election period, which is generally nine months after the decedent's death. The form should be sent to the address listed on the instructions for Form 8855, which is currently the Austin Service Center of the IRS. It is important to note that late filings or incorrect filings may result in penalties.

Form 8855 must be signed by the executor or administrator of the decedent's estate. False statements on the form may result in penalties, including fines and even criminal charges. It is important to ensure that all information provided on the form is accurate and complete to avoid any potential penalties.

When an executor is appointed after a valid Section 622(c)(3) or (4) election has been made, the election can be amended by filing Form 8855, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Estate and Trusts, with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The amended election must be filed within 60 days after the appointment of the executor or alternate payee. It is recommended to consult with a tax professional to ensure proper completion and filing of the form.

Section 645 of the Internal Revenue Code allows an estate or trust to elect to be taxed as a grantor trust for income tax purposes. This election, also known as the grantor trust election, causes the income of the trust to be included in the income of the grantor or transferor for income tax purposes. The grantor trust election can have significant tax implications for both the estate or trust and the related estate. It is recommended to consult with a tax professional to understand the potential tax consequences of making this election.

To obtain a new EIN for a Qualified Revocable Trust (QRT) following the decedent's death, the person responsible for administering the trust must file Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, with the IRS. The form can be filed online, by fax, or by mail. It is recommended to consult with a tax professional or the IRS to ensure proper completion and filing of the form.

Form 8855 and related documents, including supporting documentation, must be kept by the estate or trust for a period of at least three years from the due date of the return or the date the election was made, whichever is later. It is recommended to consult with a tax professional or the IRS for specific recordkeeping requirements.

The estimated time required to complete and file Form 8855, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Estate and Trusts, depends on the complexity of the estate or trust and the availability of necessary information. Generally, it can take between 30 minutes to several hours to complete the form. It is recommended to allow sufficient time to gather all required information and consult with a tax professional to ensure proper completion and filing of the form.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides detailed instructions and reporting requirements for Form 8855, Election To Treat a Qualified Revocable Trust as Part of an Estate or Trust, in Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). You can access this publication on the IRS website (irs.gov) or by calling the IRS at 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Additionally, the IRS website offers an Interactive Tax Assistant tool to help guide you through the process of determining whether you need to file Form 8855. It is recommended that you consult with a tax professional or attorney for specific advice regarding your individual situation.

The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) is a federal law that requires federal agencies to obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) before collecting certain information from the public. Form 8855 is subject to the PRA, and the IRS includes the PRA notice on the form to inform taxpayers that their responses are being collected in accordance with the PRA. The notice includes the OMB control number, which is used to identify the form for PRA purposes. The IRS uses the information collected on Form 8855 to administer and enforce the tax laws related to trusts and estates. It is important for taxpayers to provide accurate and complete information on the form to ensure proper processing and avoid potential delays or penalties.