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Level 1

Solved

2019 tax return whose husband passed away in 2017

1 reply
33 views

What tax return status can she use? Married Filing Jointly since it is still less than 2 years? Can she then use the standard deduction of the Married filed jointly since her husband passed away in late 2017?

VolvoGirlAnswer

Level 15

Expert Reviewed

Only if she has a child.

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.

VolvoGirlAnswer

Level 15

Expert Reviewed

Only if she has a child.

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.