Estate Information Return

There are all sorts of forms executors, beneficiaries, and probate court clerks have to fill out and correspond with during probate and estate settlement, including affidavits, letters, petitions, summons, orders, and notices.

Estate Information Return is a commonly used form within Ontario. Here’s an overview of what the form is and means, including a breakdown of the situations when (or why) you may need to use it:

Atticus Fast Facts About Estate Information Return

Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Estate Information Return:

• This form pertains to the State of Ontario

Government forms are not typically updated often, though when they are, it often happens rather quietly. While Atticus works hard to keep this information about Ontario’s Form Estate Information Return up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.

Step 1 - Download the correct Ontario form based on the name and ID if applicable

Double check that you have both the correct form name and the correct form ID. Some Ontario probate forms can look remarkably similar, so it’s best to double, even triple-check that you’re using the right one! Keep in mind that not all States have a standardized Form ID system for their probate forms.

Step 2 - Complete the Document

Fill out all relevant fields in Form Estate Information Return, take a break, and then review. Probate and estate settlement processes in ON are long enough to begin with, and making a silly error can push your timeline even farther back. No thank you!

Note: If you don’t currently know all of the answers and are accessing Form Estate Information Return online, be sure to avoid closing the browser tab and potentially losing all your progress (or use a platform like Atticus to help avoid making mistakes).

Step 3 - Have Form witnessed or notarized (if required)

Some States and situations require particular forms to be notarized. If you have been instructed to get the document notarized or see it in writing on the document, then make sure to hire a local notary. There are max notary fees in the United States that are defined and set by local law. Take a look at our full guide to notary fees to make sure you aren’t overpaying or getting ripped off.

Step 4 - Submit Estate Information Return to the relevant office

This is most often the local probate court where the decedent (person who passed away) is domiciled (permanently resides) or the institution involved with this particular form (e.g. a bank). Some offices allow you to submit forms online, other’s don’t, and we while we generally recommend going in-person to expedite the process, sometimes that simply isn’t an option.

It’s also a generally good idea to establish a positive working relationship with any probate clerk (unfortunately there’s enough people & process out there making things more difficult and unnecessarily confusing for them), so a best practice is to simply ask the probate clerk proactively exactly how and where they’d prefer you to submit all forms.

Need help getting in touch with a local probate court or identifying a domicile probate jurisdiction?

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Different probate forms or processes can require different deadlines or response times for completing the appropriate form.

While some steps in the process are bound to specific deadlines (like petitioning for probate, having to submit an inventory of assets, or filing applicable notices to creditors and beneficiaries), many probate forms or processes are not tied to a specific deadline since the scope of work can vary based on situational factors or requirements involved.

Either way, there are a bunch of practical reasons why personal representatives should work to complete each step as thoroughly and quickly as possible when completing probate in Ontario.

5 reasons you should submit this form as quickly as possible:

1. The sooner you begin, the faster Ontario can allow heirs and beneficiaries to get their share of assets subject to probate. Acting promptly can also decrease the costs & overall mental fatigue through an otherwise burdensome process.
   
   Helpful Context: What’s the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?

2. In general, creditors of an estate usually have around 3-6 months from the time you file notice to creditors to file any claims for debt against the deceased’s assets. If they don’t, then that debt is forfeited (and more importantly, the executor won’t be held personally responsible). So doing this sooner means you have a better idea of who is owed what and ensures you won’t get a surprise collector months later.

3. Not filing a will within 30 days (on average) could mean that the probate process proceeds according to intestate laws (laws that govern what happens to someone's stuff without a will) or is subject to unnecessary supervision by the probate court. And if you aren't directly related to the deceased (a.k.a. next of kin), this could also mean you lose your inheritance.

4. It’s important to file any necessary state tax returns on behalf of the deceased or estate by the following tax season in Ontario. If you don’t, you could owe penalties and interest. This also includes any necessary federal tax returns such as Forms 1040, 1041, or even a Form 706 estate tax return.

5. If a house in the State of Ontario is left empty (or abandoned) for a while, insurance can get dicey. For example, if the house burns down and no one has been there for a year, an insurance company may get out of paying your claim.

If you’re not using Atticus to get specific forms, deadlines, and timelines for Ontario probate, then try and stay as organized as possible, pay close attention to the dates mentioned in any correspondence you have with the State’s government officials, call the local Ontario probate clerk or court for exact answers regarding Form Estate Information Return, and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.

Estate Information Return is one of the many probate court forms available for download through Atticus.

It may also be available through some Ontario probate court sites, such as . In order to access the latest version, be updated with any revisions, and get full instructions on how to complete each form, check out the Atticus Probate & Estate Settlement software or consider hiring a qualified legal expert locally within Ontario.

While Atticus automatically provides the latest forms, be sure to choose the correct version of Form Estate Information Return f using any other site or resource in order to avoid having to re-complete the form process and/or make another trip to the Ontario probate court office.

Estate Information Return is a .pdf, so opening it should be as simple as clicking “View Form” from within the Atticus app or by clicking the appropriate link found on any Ontario-provided government platform. Once you’ve opened the form, you should be able to directly edit the form before saving or printing.

Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on Ontario Form Estate Information Return. You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.

Reason: (Note: If the return is amended due to a fulfillment of an undertaking, include particulars and amounts of additional tax paid.) Ministry of Finance 33 King St W PO Box 625 Oshawa ON L1H 8H9 Enquiries: 1-866-ONT-TAXS (1-866-668-8297) 1-800-263-7776 Teletypewriter (TTY) 1-866-888-3850 (Fax) Estate Information Return Estate Administration Tax Act, 1998 Page 1 of 7 If you received a certificate of appointment of estate trustee from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, this return must be completed and received by the Ministry of Finance within 180 calendar days after the certificate of appointment of estate trustee is issued. It will be used by the Ministry of Finance to administer the Estate Administration Tax Act, 1998. If after submitting this return, you discover information was incorrect or incomplete, an amended return must be received by the Ministry of Finance within 60 calendar days from when the error or additional information about the property of the estate is known. See guide for additional information. Is this an Amended Return? If you have previously submitted an Estate Information Return to the Ministry of Finance, please check yes in the box. (if yes, check ✔ box) . . . . . . . . . . Please explain below why this return is being amended ▼ A Information about the Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee Indicate which type of certificate of appointment of estate trustee was granted by the Court (please choose one) Form No. 74C Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee 74.1C / 74.1F Small Estate Certificate Other Certificate Date (yyyy/mm/dd) Enter the date above Certificate/Confirmation was issued . . . . . . Enter the Court File No. assigned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Which Superior Court of Justice in Ontario was used to file your application? (please specify location) Yes No Date of Undertaking (yyyy/mm/dd) Was the deposit amount submitted based on an estimated value of the estate? If yes, please attach a copy of the undertaking submitted to the court. . . . . . . Yes No Was the certificate of appointment of estate trustee issued without payment of deposit equal to tax? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (subsections 4(1) and (2) of the Estate Administration Tax Act, 1998) If yes, please attach a copy of the court order and details about the security provided to the court. 9955E (2022/02) © Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2022 Disponible en français Ministry Use Only - Date Received Estate Representative Information (For additional representatives, attach a separate list.) C First Name Page 2 of 7 Court File No. Middle Name (s) Last Name If the deceased was known by any other name(s), please enter Date of Birth (yyyy/mm/dd) Date of Death (yyyy/mm/dd) Address - Last Place of Residence (do NOT use post office box) Unit/Apt/Suite Street Number and Name (Postal Stn/Rural Route) City/Town Province/State ▼ Postal/Zip Code Country First Name Middle Name Last Name Business Name (if applicable) Title Telephone Number Extension Fax Number Email Address Mailing Address Unit/Apt/Suite Street Number and Name (Postal Stn/Rural Route) City/Town Province/State ▼ Postal/Zip Code Country 9955E (2022/02) Deceased Person Information B Real Estate in Ontario D Details of Estate Assets Page 3 of 7 Court File No. List the fair market value of all assets and the balance of all bank accounts of the deceased at the date of death. If the court issued a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee with a Will Limited to the Assets Referred to in the Will, only those assets included in such will are to be listed. If the court issued a Confirmation by Resealing of Appointment of Estate Trustee, a Certificate of Ancillary Appointment of an Estate Trustee with a Will, or a Certificate of Appointment of Foreign Estate Trustee’s Nominee as Estate Trustee without a Will, only those assets located in Ontario are to be included. Only the value of encumbrances that are registered against real estate should be subtracted. Please also include assets/properties in which the deceased had an equitable interest, even though legal title was held by a person other than the deceased. (refer to guide) Property 1 - Assessment Roll No. Property Identifier No. (PIN) $ Fair Market Value (at date of death) Address - Unit/Apt/Suite, Street Number and Name, Postal Stn/Rural Route Percentage of Ownership X % Value of Percentage Owned Subtract: Encumbrances (see guide) City/Town Province ON Postal Code $ Net Value Property 2 - Assessment Roll No. Property Identifier No. (PIN) $ Fair Market Value (at date of death) Address - Unit/Apt/Suite, Street Number and Name, Postal Stn/Rural Route Percentage of Ownership X % Value of Percentage Owned Subtract: Encumbrances (see guide) City/Town Province ON Postal Code $ Net Value Property 3 - Assessment Roll No. Property Identifier No. (PIN) $ Fair Market Value (at date of death) Address - Unit/Apt/Suite, Street Number and Name, Postal Stn/Rural Route Percentage of Ownership X % Value of Percentage Owned Subtract: Encumbrances (see guide) City/Town Province ON Postal Code $ Net Value Attach separate list(s) if required. 9955E (2022/02) Total Net Value of all Ontario Real Estate ► - for percentage owned by the deceased at date of death Include amounts from separate list(s). 1 $ Details of Estate Assets continued Page 4 of 7 Court File No. Bank Account 1 - Name of Financial Institution Account Number Address - Unit/Apt/Suite, Street Number and Name, Postal Stn/Rural Route $ Balance (at date of death) City/Town Percentage of Ownership X % Province/State Postal/Zip Code Country $ Value of Percentage Owned Bank Account 2 - Name of Financial Institution Account Number Address - Unit/Apt/Suite, Street Number and Name, Postal Stn/Rural Route $ Balance (at date of death) City/Town Percentage of Ownership X % Province/State Postal/Zip Code Country $ Value of Percentage Owned Bank Account 3 - Name of Financial Institution Account Number Address - Unit/Apt/Suite, Street Number and Name, Postal Stn/Rural Route $ Balance (at date of death) City/Town Percentage of Ownership X % Province/State Postal/Zip Code Country $ Value of Percentage Owned Bank Account 4 - Name of Financial Institution Account Number Address - Unit/Apt/Suite, Street Number and Name, Postal Stn/Rural Route $ Balance (at date of death) City/Town Percentage of Ownership X % Province/State Postal/Zip Code Country $ Value of Percentage Owned Attach separate list(s) if required. Total Value of all Bank Accounts ► - for percentage owned by the deceased at date of death Include amounts from separate list(s). 9955E (2022/02) Bank Accounts (list details from all financial institutions in Canadian Funds - include credit unions and caisses populaires) E 2 $ Details of Estate Assets continued Page 5 of 7 Court File No. Investment 1 - Name of Issuer Number of Units Type and Details of Instrument or Account No. Name of Broker/Agent Telephone No. Address of Broker/Agent - Unit/Apt/Suite, Street Number and Name, Postal Stn/Rural Route $ Fair Market Value (at date of death) City/Town Percentage of Ownership X % Province/State Postal/Zip Code Country $ Value of Percentage Owned Investment 2 - Name of Issuer Number of Units Type and Details of Instrument or Account No. Name of Broker/Agent Telephone No. Address of Broker/Agent - Unit/Apt/Suite, Street Number and Name, Postal Stn/Rural Route $ Fair Market Value (at date of death) City/Town Percentage of Ownership X % Province/State Postal/Zip Code Country $ Value of Percentage Owned Investment 3 - Name of Issuer Number of Units Type and Details of Instrument or Account No. Name of Broker/Agent Telephone No. Address of Broker/Agent - Unit/Apt/Suite, Street Number and Name, Postal Stn/Rural Route $ Fair Market Value (at date of death) City/Town Percentage of Ownership X % Province/State Postal/Zip Code Country $ Value of Percentage Owned Attach separate list(s) if required. 9955E (2022/02) Total Value of all Investments ► - for percentage owned by the deceased at date of death Include amounts from separate list(s). Investments (list type and details of all shares, stocks, bonds, other investments, etc.) F 3 $ Details of Estate Assets continued Page 6 of 7 Court File No. Vehicle/Vessel 1 - Vehicle Identification No. (VIN) or Hull Serial No. (HIN) $ Fair Market Value (at date of death) Make Percentage of Ownership X % Model Year $ Value of Percentage Owned Vehicle/Vessel 2 - Vehicle Identification No. (VIN) or Hull Serial No. (HIN) $ Fair Market Value (at date of death) Make Percentage of Ownership X % Model Year $ Value of Percentage Owned Vehicle/Vessel 3 - Vehicle Identification No. (VIN) or Hull Serial No. (HIN) $ Fair Market Value (at date of death) Make Percentage of Ownership X % Model Year $ Value of Percentage Owned Attach separate list(s) if required. Total Value of all Vehicles and Vessels ► - for percentage owned by the deceased at date of death Include amounts from separate list(s). Item 1 - Description $ Fair Market Value (at date of death) Percentage of Ownership X % $ Value of Percentage Owned Item 2 - Description $ Fair Market Value (at date of death) Percentage of Ownership X % $ Value of Percentage Owned Attach separate list(s) if required. 9955E (2022/02) Total Value of all Other Assets ► - for percentage owned by the deceased at date of death Include amounts from separate list(s). Vehicles and Vessels (include motorcycles, boats, all-terrain vehicles, bicycles, snowmobiles, etc.) G Other Assets (include all other assets not listed in previous sections, e.g., business interests, copyrights, patents, trademarks, household contents, art, jewelry, loans receivable, etc.) H 4 5 $ $ Court File No. Page 7 of 7 I Summary of All Estate Assets (includes any amounts shown on separate lists) Enter Dollars only Total Net Value of all Real Estate in Ontario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Total Value of all: Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . + 2 Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . + 3 Vehicles and Vessels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . + 4 Other Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . + 5 Total Value of all Estate Assets - owned by the deceased at date of death (sum of Lines 1 to 5 ) . . . . . . . . . = 6 Total Amount of Estate Administration Tax Payable Enter Total Estate Assets from Line 6 ► (round up this amount to the nearest $1,000) 7 The calculation should be: a)$0 up to $50,000 of estate assets, 0 plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 b)$15 for each $1,000 of estate assets over $50,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . + 9 ► = 10 Subtract: Total Amount of Deposit Paid with the Application for Estate Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . – 11 Net Amount of Tax Owing (or Refund). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = 12 Make your cheque or money order in Canadian funds payable to the Minister of Finance. Submit your payment to the Courthouse where the certificate for appointment of estate trustee was issued together with an affidavit attesting to the new total value of the estate. J Certification I certify that the information I have given in this return, and in the documents I have provided, is true, correct and complete. Attach additional page(s) to include the signature of any other estate representative(s). First Name Middle Name Last Name Business Name (if applicable) Title Signature of Estate Representative Date (yyyy/mm/dd) X It is an offence to make a false or misleading statement in a return as required under the Estate Administration Tax Act, 1998 and its Regulation. The personal information on the Estate Information Return is collected under the authority of the Estate Administration Tax Act, 1998 and will be used to determine the value of estates and the amount of estate administration tax payable. This information may be used to develop and/ or evaluate tax or benefit policy. It may also be used in the administration or enforcement of an Act that imposes a tax or confers a benefit. Questions about the collection of this information should be directed to the Senior Manager-Audit, Compliance Branch, 33 King Street West, PO Box 625, Oshawa ON L1H 8H9, 1-866-668-8297 9955E (2022/02)