So sorry for your loss. For the two years following the year that your spouse passed, you can file as a qualifying widower since you have qualified child dependents. That gives your a higher standard deduction--reducing the amount of income you are taxed on. You could have filed a joint return for 2018--is that what you did?
For 2019 and 2020 next year, file as a qualifying widower. (assuming the children are still dependents for 2020)
**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.**
