Virginia Law

Article 8. Accounting, Returns, Procedures for Estates and Trusts.

A. An estate and trust taxable year under this chapter shall be the same as its taxable year for federal income tax purposes.

B. If a taxpayer's taxable year is changed for federal income tax purposes, its taxable year for purposes of this chapter shall be similarly changed. If a taxable year of less than twelve months results from a change of taxable year, the Virginia taxable income shall be prorated under regulations of the Department.

C. A taxpayer's method of accounting under this chapter shall be the same as its method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. In the absence of any method of accounting for federal income tax purposes, Virginia taxable income shall be computed under such method as in the opinion of the Tax Commissioner clearly reflects income.

D. If a taxpayer's method of accounting is changed for federal income tax purposes, its method of accounting for purposes of this chapter shall be similarly changed. If a taxpayer's method of accounting is changed, other than from an accrual to an installment method, any additional tax which results from adjustments determined to be necessary solely by reason of the change shall not be greater than if such adjustments were ratably allocated and included for the taxable year of the change and the preceding taxable years, not in excess of two, during which the taxpayer used the method of accounting from which the change is made. If a taxpayer's method of accounting is changed from an accrual to an installment method, any additional tax for the year of such change of method and for any subsequent year which is attributable to the receipt of installment payments properly accrued in a prior year, shall be reduced by the portion of tax for any prior taxable year attributable to the accrual of such installment payments, in accordance with regulations of the Department.

E. In computing a taxpayer's Virginia taxable income for any taxable year under a method of accounting different from the method under which the taxpayer's Virginia taxable income was computed, there shall be taken into account those adjustments which are determined, under regulations prescribed by the Department of Taxation, to be necessary solely by reason of change in order to prevent amounts from being duplicated or omitted.

F. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, any accounting adjustments made for federal income tax purposes for any taxable year shall be applied in computing the taxpayer's taxable income for such year.

Code 1950, § 58-151.061; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 171; 1984, c. 675.

A. On or before May 1 of each year if the taxable year is a calendar year, or on or before the fifteenth day of the fourth month following the close of a taxable year other than a calendar year, an income tax return under this chapter shall be made and filed by or for:

1. Every resident estate or trust required to file a federal income tax return for the taxable year, or having any Virginia taxable income for the taxable year. If the return is for a fractional part of a year, the due date shall be determined as if the return were for a full twelve-month period;

2. Every nonresident estate or trust having Virginia taxable income for the taxable year determined under § 58.1-362.

B. The return for any deceased individual shall be made and filed by his executor, administrator, or other person charged with his property.

C. The return for an estate or trust shall be made and filed by the fiduciary.

D. If two or more fiduciaries are acting jointly, the return may be made by any one of them.

Code 1950, § 58-151.062; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 171; 1972, c. 827; 1978, c. 796; 1984, c. 675; 1985, c. 221.

Every fiduciary required to file a return on behalf of an estate or trust shall file such return with the commissioner of the revenue having jurisdiction in the county or city in which the fiduciary qualified or, if there has been no qualification in this Commonwealth, in the county or city in which such fiduciary resides, does business or has an office or wherein the beneficiary or any of them may reside, or with the Department if provided by regulation thereof.

Code 1950, § 58-151.064; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 171; 1984, c. 675.

The provisions of § 58.1-344 shall be applicable to the extension of time for filing returns by a fiduciary on behalf of an estate or trust.

1984, c. 675.