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March 11, 2024
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Deceased spouse

  • March 11, 2024
  • 1 reply
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Spouse was primary in the past.  Should he still be listed first on tax return?

Will we need his driver's license information in order to e-file?

State of Virginia income tax filed through the mail (due to $ of e-file) There doesn't appear to be an indication that spouse is deceased.  Should I write deceased in the signature space?  Will I need to include a copy of death certificate?

Best answer by VolvoGirl

Did he die in 2023?  My husband died last year too.  I filed a Joint return with him still listed as Primary.  It printed his name and deceased date up at the very top of the 1040.  I efiled both federal and state.  State is only $25 to efile from the Desktop program.  I didn't need to include a death cert.

Next year I will have to do my own return as Single and not transfer from 2023 but need to start over.  Do you have children?  You can file a Joint return the year your spouse died.  For the next two years following a husband's or wife's death, the surviving spouse can file as a qualifying widow or widower if they have a qualifying child. That basically lets you continue to use the same tax brackets that apply to married-filing-jointly returns.  After the year of death if you don't have a child you file as Single.

1 reply

VolvoGirl
VolvoGirlAnswer
Employee
March 11, 2024

Did he die in 2023?  My husband died last year too.  I filed a Joint return with him still listed as Primary.  It printed his name and deceased date up at the very top of the 1040.  I efiled both federal and state.  State is only $25 to efile from the Desktop program.  I didn't need to include a death cert.

Next year I will have to do my own return as Single and not transfer from 2023 but need to start over.  Do you have children?  You can file a Joint return the year your spouse died.  For the next two years following a husband's or wife's death, the surviving spouse can file as a qualifying widow or widower if they have a qualifying child. That basically lets you continue to use the same tax brackets that apply to married-filing-jointly returns.  After the year of death if you don't have a child you file as Single.

Laura936Author
March 11, 2024

Were you able to e-file?  I read that you can't because the ssn has been frozen.

Thanks for your answer, he did pass away in 2023 and there are no dependents.

March 13, 2024

Yes, you can file electronically.  The IRS has allowed this for deceased taxpayers for several years.  

I send my sympathies to you and your family.

 

@Laura936 

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