Standard Deduction for tax year of spouse's death - Turbo Tax bug?

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
February 7, 2025
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I am 68. My spouse died in January 2024 at the age of 64 (she was born in November 1959). TurboTax knows all this as it is correct in my Personal Info section. As a result, TT had my 2024 Filing Status correct as "Married Filing Jointly." BUT, it did not check the box in the Standard Deduction section that my spouse was born before January 1, 1960 which she was. As a result of not having that box checked, my Standard Deduction was $30,750. Had that box been checked, my Standard Deduction would have been $32,300. Is this a bug or is the rule that since she was only 64 when she died, I don't get the extra Standard Deduction for being 65?

Best answer by Vanessa A

Yes, the rule is that since she was only 64 when she died, she does not qualify for the extra standard deduction. So your standard deduction of $30,750 is correct.

Death of spouse.

"If your spouse died in 2024, read this before using Table 1 or Table 2 to find whether you must file a 2024 return. Consider your spouse to be 65 or older at the end of 2024 only if your spouse was 65 or older at the time of death. Even if your spouse was born before January 2, 1960, your spouse isn't considered 65 or older at the end of 2024 unless your spouse was 65 or older at the time of death.

A person is considered to reach age 65 on the day before the person’s 65th birthday."

Vanessa AAnswer

Yes, the rule is that since she was only 64 when she died, she does not qualify for the extra standard deduction. So your standard deduction of $30,750 is correct.

Death of spouse.

A person is considered to reach age 65 on the day before the person’s 65th birthday."

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