US Savings Bonds after owner passed

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
January 28, 2024
1 reply
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Owner passed late in 2022. He was listed as the only owner. Bonds were cashed in 2023 and interest paid through the bank. Since he wasn’t living in 2023 can I still file a married filing jointly or do I need to file a separate form for him and his wife? She passed in 2023.

Thank you!

DianeW777

No, you must file using the Single status for the spouse who died in 2023. There is no return for 2023, for the spouse who died in 2022. The year of death a final return is completed for the deceased and a married filing joint return is allowed in that year if the living spouse did not remarry before the end of the tax year.

In 2023 when the bonds were cashed, the income will be reported on the return of the living spouse and the one who received the money. Since the deceased did not cash the bonds before death, there is nothing to report on that return in a future year.

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