The Full Accounting Picture for Trusts and Estates with One CPA, Start to Finish
Being named executor or trustee puts you in charge of a process most people have never navigated before. You may not know exactly what accounting work the estate or trust requires — and that's completely normal. My job is to figure that out with you, handle what's needed, and coordinate with your attorney so nothing falls through the cracks.
New York Has Its Own Estate and Trust Tax Rules, Be Ready for the Nuances
Estate and trust accounting in New York isn't generic work. New York imposes its own estate tax with its own filing form (ET-706), separate from the federal return. Trust income is subject to New York's fiduciary income tax, reported on Form IT-205 alongside the federal Form 1041. And when a fiduciary accounting needs to be filed with Surrogate's Court, it has to meet specific formatting and content requirements under New York's EPTL.
I prepare all of these. If you've been directed here by an estate attorney or are working through the administration of a New York estate or trust, you're in the right place.
Our Three Distinct Services
Trust and Estate Income Tax Returns
If the estate or trust has income — interest, dividends, rental income, capital gains from asset sales — it needs to file its own income tax return. That's Form 1041 at the federal level, with the companion New York IT-205 filing. I prepare both.
New York Estate Tax Returns
New York has its own estate tax, separate from federal estate tax, with its own exemption threshold and filing requirements. If the estate is large enough to be subject to New York estate tax, Form ET-706 is required. I prepare New York estate tax returns for taxable estates across Long Island and New York City.
Fiduciary Accounting
A fiduciary accounting is a formal record of everything that came into and out of the estate or trust during the administration period. It's required when the accounting is being presented to beneficiaries for approval or filed with Surrogate's Court. I prepare fiduciary accountings in accordance with New York EPTL standards, court-ready when that's what the situation calls for.
support for every stage of planning Your Next Steps.
What It Looks Like to Work With Me
When you reach out, I'll ask enough questions to understand what the estate or trust actually needs — not just what you think it might need. From there, I'll tell you clearly what accounting work is required, what's optional, and what falls outside my scope (and who handles it). If you're already working with an estate attorney, I'll coordinate with them directly. You don't have to manage that handoff.
Everything runs through me. There's no junior staff, no hand-off to someone you've never spoken to. When you have a question, you reach me.
- Solo CPA practice — you work with Kevin directly, every time
- Full trust and estate accounting in one place: income tax returns, NY estate tax, and fiduciary accountings
- Familiar with Surrogate's Court requirements and New York-specific fiduciary tax rules
- Active referral relationships with estate attorneys across Long Island and New York City
- Remote service available for work not tied to New York-specific filings
Serving Executors and Trustees Across Long Island and New York City
My practice is based in Sayville, NY, and I work with clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, and New York City. For trust and estate work that isn't tied to a New York-specific filing, I also work with clients remotely across the country.
If you're administering an estate or trust in New York and need a CPA who knows the state's rules and can handle the full accounting picture, I'd be glad to talk through what you're dealing with.
frequently asked questions
Guidance That Feels Clear and Grounded
Do I need a CPA for a trust or estate in New York?
Not every estate or trust requires CPA involvement, but most benefit from it. If the estate has taxable income, is subject to New York estate tax, or requires a formal fiduciary accounting for Surrogate's Court or beneficiary approval, a CPA with trust and estate experience is the right call. I can help you figure out which of those applies to your situation.What's the difference between an estate tax return and an estate income tax return?
These are two separate filings that often get confused. The estate tax return (Form ET-706 in New York) is filed based on the total value of the estate at death and determines whether estate tax is owed. The estate income tax return (Form 1041, with NY IT-205) is filed annually while the estate is open and reports income the estate earns during administration — things like interest, dividends, or gains from asset sales. An estate can require one, both, or neither depending on its size and activity.Can one CPA handle the fiduciary accounting, the income tax return, and the New York estate tax return?
Yes — and that's exactly what I do. Many accountants handle only one piece of this and refer out the rest, which means the executor or trustee ends up coordinating between multiple professionals. I handle all three components, which makes the administration process considerably simpler.What does a fiduciary accounting need to include for Surrogate's Court in New York?
A court-ready fiduciary accounting in New York must follow the requirements set out under the EPTL and the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act. It needs to account for all assets on hand at the start of the administration period, all receipts and disbursements, gains and losses on asset sales, distributions to beneficiaries, and the assets remaining on hand. I prepare fiduciary accountings to meet these standards when Surrogate's Court filing or formal beneficiary approval is required. I was named executor and the estate attorney told me to find a CPA. Where do I start? Start by scheduling a consultation. I'll ask about the estate — its size, what assets it holds, whether it's generated income during administration, and whether New York estate tax is likely to apply. From that conversation, I can tell you exactly what accounting work is needed and what the process looks like from here.