"Even if the deceased IRA owner didn't take a distribution last year, there is special reporting of his or her IRA balance. For the year of death, the IRA custodian must file IRS Form 5498 for the decedent, showing the IRA's fair market value (FMV), including any contributions the decedent made before he or she died. (Note that if the decedent made any contributions or rollovers last year, those contributions must be properly reported on his/her tax return.)"