My son was working in the USA for few years and then he had moved to India. When he was working in the USA, his 401(K) account was being managed by a fund management company. Unfortunately, my son had passed away few months back and he was not married. He was 36 years old at the time of his demise. After his demise, his last employer in India has settled all the benefits payable to him. When I approached the fund management company in the USA, I was told that my late son did not name a beneficiary. They had sent a letter to me asking for the following details:
Copy of death certificate stating the cause and manner of passing.
For probate estates, the following are required:
1) Court appointment of estate representative, such as Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
2) Copy of IRS Notice CP 575, Form SS-4, or a letter from the IRS assigning the estate an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
3) Proof of Address: A photocopy of the Executor's driver's license, a recent utility bill, a paycheck or a bank statement showing a residential address (can not be a P.O. box, mail drop, or c/o)
With regard to point no.1) , I was told by a lawyer here that a court issued succession certificate would be sufficient.
With regard to point no.2), I am clueless. I wrote to the fund management company to clarify whether it is relevant to me as I am domiciled in India and my son was domiciled in India at the time of his demise. They are yet to clarify.
I request experts in this forum to guide me as to what needs to be done with regard to requirement for an EIN.
If the fund is linked to a US based EIN number, will it be possible for me receive the same in India.
Kindly let me know the steps involved. Necessarily please let me know about the IRS requirement and if any Indian equivalent is permissible.
Thanks,
T.V.Pillai
