My husband died before we could amend our 2015 taxes. How do I sign for his name?

[MichaelDC · Accepted solution]

Very sorry for your loss. 

The return is filed on the same form that would have been used if the taxpayer were still alive, but "deceased" is written after the taxpayer's name. 

If a joint return or amendment is filed by the surviving spouse alone, he or she should sign the return and write "filing as surviving spouse" in the space for the other spouse's signature.

[dmfreeman68]

Thank you for your help.

[MichaelDC]

My pleasure.

[Bingen]

I am doing taxes for my mother-in-law. Her husband died last Feb. When I finished with the taxes, in his signature block is states that she is filling as a surviving spouse. But when I send it in to the IRS, it is rejected saying that the AGI of her husband (looking to verify his ID for e-mailing) does not match his name. I have sent it in with last years AGI like Turbotax put in and also with the AGI before last years adjustment that had to be done. They are both rejected. What do I do? My father-in-law is dead yet they are trying to ID him for a signature.

Bob

[CassLO]

@Bingen While a paper return is not required the year after a spouse dies, it usually turns out that way.  Either the IRS doesn't recognize the AGI from the previous year, or Social Security Administration freezes the deceased person's social security number. You will unfortunately have to print and mail in the return.

"Irene2805 Employee Tax Expert"

[Bingen]

Thank You for your help.