ORS 316.387: Election for final tax determination by personal representative; period for assessment of deficiency; discharge of personal representative from personal liability for tax.

(1) In the case of any tax for which a return is required under this chapter from a decedent or a decedent’s estate during the period of administration, the Department of Revenue may give notice of deficiency as described in ORS 305.265 within 18 months after a written election for a final tax determination is made by the personal representative, administrator, trustee or other fiduciary representing the estate of the decedent. This election must be filed after the return is made and filed in the form and manner as may be prescribed by the department by rule. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, if the department finds that gross income equal to 25 percent or more of the gross income reported has been omitted from the taxpayer’s return, notice of the deficiency may be given at any time within five years after the return was filed. (3) The limitations to the giving of a notice of deficiency provided in this section shall not apply to a deficiency resulting from false or fraudulent returns, or in cases where no return has been filed. If the Commissioner of Internal Revenue or other authorized official of the federal government makes a correction resulting in a change of the decedent’s or the estate of the decedent’s tax for state income tax purposes, then notice of a deficiency under any law imposing tax upon or measured by income for the corresponding tax year may be mailed within one year after the department is notified by the fiduciary or the commissioner of such federal correction, or within the applicable 18-month or five-year period prescribed in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, respectively, whichever period later expires. (4) After filing the decedent’s return, the personal representative, administrator, trustee or other fiduciary may apply in writing for discharge from personal liability for tax on the decedent’s income. After paying any tax for which the personal representative, administrator, trustee or other fiduciary is subsequently notified, or after expiration of nine months since receipt of the application and during which no notification of tax liability is made, the discharge becomes effective. A discharge under this subsection does not discharge the personal representative, administrator, trustee or other fiduciary from liability to the extent that assets of the decedent’s estate are still in the possession or control of the personal representative, administrator, trustee or other fiduciary. The failure of a personal representative to make application and otherwise proceed under this subsection shall not affect the protection available to the personal representative under ORS 116.123 and 116.213. (5) For the purpose of facilitating the settlement and distribution of estates held by fiduciaries, the department, on behalf of the state, may agree upon the amount of taxes at any time due or to become due from such fiduciaries under this chapter or transferees of an estate as provided in ORS 314.310 with respect to a tax return or returns of or for a decedent individual or an estate or trust, and payment in accordance with such agreement shall be in full satisfaction of the taxes to which the agreement relates. [1969 c.493 §59; 1971 c.333 §3; 1995 c.453 §5; 2017 c.169 §60]