Australian Executor's Estate Workbook - Deceased Estate Checklist, Estate Accounts, CGT and Tax Returns | Excel + PDF Guide

Named as an executor in Australia? Keep every task, date, estate account and tax step in one place, including the Australian tax steps generic executor checklists leave out: the date-of-death tax return, the estate's trust returns, and the 2-year rule for selling the family home CGT-free.

Built and checked by a CPA. Every formula tested against a separate calculation. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Works in Excel and Google Sheets: your download has the Excel workbook plus a PDF with a one-click link to make your own Google Sheets copy (same formulas, checked cell by cell against the Excel version).

Being an executor is a big job, usually done for the first time, at a hard time. This workbook keeps everything in one place and builds in the Australian tax steps that generic executor templates leave out.

What's inside

• Key dates from the date of death: the date-of-death tax return period and usual due date, the estate's first three income years, the 2-year deadline for selling the family home CGT-free, and the probate registry for your state
• A 37-step task list across four phases, from the first week to the final distribution, with suggested dates and overdue flags
• Contacts log: 27 organisations to notify, with reference numbers and dates
• Assets and debts register that shows what goes through the estate (joint tenancy and super usually don't)
• Estate account: every receipt and payment, a running balance, and each amount placed in the right estate income year
• Distribution calculator: hold back for tax and costs, cash gifts first, then residue shares
• CGT on inherited assets (up to 10): cost base rules, the main residence exemption including the 2-year rule, partial exemption estimates and the 50% discount
• Estate tax estimate for the first 3 income years (individual rates, tax-free threshold, no Medicare levy) and whether a trust return is needed
• Super death benefit tax estimate for dependants and non-dependants
• Summary and Checks tabs

What you get

• Excel workbook, blank version for your estate
• Excel workbook filled in with a fictional example estate so you can see how it works
• The Australian Executor's Guide: 7-page PDF on the money and tax steps in plain English, with ATO sources

How it was checked

• Every rule was checked against ATO and Supreme Court websites in October 2026 and is listed with its source.
• The formulas were tested against a separate calculation on 50 randomly generated estates (over 5,600 checks, including edge cases like a death on 30 June) and matched every time.

Good to know

• Works in Excel. Australian rules for estates with income years from 2024-25.
• It organises the work and estimates the tax. It doesn't replace a solicitor (probate, disputes, family provision claims) or a registered tax agent (trust returns, complex CGT).
• Designed by Plain Numbers Co with the help of AI tools .

Version history

• 24 Oct 2026: Google Sheets edition included.
• Version 1.3 (28 Oct 2026): inherited-home CGT now follows the ATO's partial-exemption rule (days counted from when the deceased acquired the home), the 12-month discount test uses the contract date, and sales from 1 July 2027 are flagged for the new CGT rules.
• Version 1.2 (22 Oct 2026): every tab looks and works like an app screen, with a branded header, a one-line instruction on each tab, Home and Dashboard links and clearly marked input cells. Same tested formulas.
• Version 1.1: one-page Dashboard (progress, overdue tasks, key dates, cash and amount available to distribute) and a clickable Home page. Same tested formulas.

General information and tools only, not tax, financial or legal advice. Check with a registered tax agent or solicitor. 30-day money-back guarantee: if it doesn't work for your situation, email hello.plainnumbersco@gmail.com within 30 days. We'll fix it, or refund you in full if you'd rather. This is in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law, which are not excluded. Licence: purchaser's own use; please do not resell or share the files