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2 replies

Employee
February 10, 2022

 

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 $25,100 (+ $1350 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.

**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.**
DoninGA
Employee
February 10, 2022

If your spouse passed away in 2021 you enter the date they passed away when you enter their information in the My Info section of the online editions or Personal Info section of the desktop editions.  There will be a screen that has a selection for the person passing away, check the box and then enter the date of passing.

You can file as Married Filing Jointly on 2021 tax return if the spouse passed away in 2021.

 

If the spouse passed away before 2021 then you should be filing as Single if you have not remarried or if you have a qualifying child as a dependent you can file as a Qualifying Widow(er) if the spouse passed away in the two years before 2021.