Spouse died on January 1, 2020 - Impact payments, Filing Status, Primary taxpayer?
I have read a lot of info that says if the taxpayer was deceased before January 1st, or after January 1st...but not ON January 1st.
I do not qualify to file under widow status.
1. I filed our 2019 return "married filing jointly", as my husband was alive for the entire year. The return was noted "Decd. 01/01/2020" and on his signature line it said "Filing as surviving spouse". Can I do the same thing this year, 2020?
2. I received the first stimulus as a direct deposit in the amount of $2,400. I mailed a check (and it was cashed right away) for $1,200 back to IRS when they said we should return amounts paid to deceased. I received the $600 direct deposit last month for the 2nd stimulus check. Can I use the Recovery Rebate Credit to get credits for both of his Economic Impact Payments (the $1,200 I returned and the $600)?
3. For the 2020 tax return, if I can file jointly, do I change the way our names are on the return? My husband was always listed first (primary) and I was listed as "spouse". Should I just leave it the same way and add "Decd. 01/01/2020" after his name like I did for the 2019 return?
Thanks in advance for any help with these questions.
