Skip to main content
July 15, 2021
Question

Can I file jointly with a deseased spouse passed away in January of the tax year?

  • July 15, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

The spouse passed away in January 2020. Can I still file jointly for tax 2020?

1 reply

Employee
July 15, 2021

Very sorry for your loss.  For the year that your spouse died, you can still file a joint return.  That way, you will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $24,800 (+ $1300 for each spouse 65 or older) which will lower the amount of income you are taxed on.

 

In My Info, you will need to indicate that your spouse died. When his name is in My Info,  there is a screen early in the interview that asks "Do any of these apply to [name] ?’” where you will do that, and then a drop down will appear where you can enter the date he passed.

If you have dependent children still living at home, you will be able to file as a qualified widow for the next two years after this tax return.  Post back if you need further help.

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4149272-i-heard-that-the-federal-qualifying-widow-er-requirements-have-changed-and-also-that-states-vary-in-how-this-is-handled

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**