After you file

We need more information.   Did you claim a qualified dependent child?   In the first tax year that your spouse passes away, you can file a joint return.  For the next two years, if you claim a dependent child, you can file as a qualified surviving spouse and you get the same standard deduction as a the amount for a joint return.  If you filed "single" but have a qualified dependent child to claim, wait for your return to be fully processed and then you can amend to change your filing status to QSS.   If you do not have a dependent child, then "single" was the correct filing status.

Wait until your original return has been fully processed before you amend, and make sure you have saved a pdf of the original return before you amend. (If you do not save it as a pdf, the amended return will overwrite the original, and the original will be lost forever)

 

 

See this TurboTax support FAQ for amending a tax return -

 

CURRENT YEAR

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/amend-federal-tax-return-curr...

 

Do not expect quick results from amending. It can take four months or more for the IRS to process an amended return.  

 

You can watch for information here:

https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1

 

 

**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.**