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New Member
posted Apr 10, 2020 12:22:33 AM

Can you offer me the option to mark my husband died in 2020. The block only goes to 2019

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1 Replies
Expert Alumni
Apr 10, 2020 5:48:28 AM

No, for your husband who died in 2020, you will not be able to make that selection on your 2019 tax return. 

 

You can file a joint return with your husband for 2020, and for the two years after that you'll be able to file as a "qualifying widow" which lets you continue to use the same tax brackets that apply to "married filing jointly".  Also, if you sell your home within two years of your husband' death, you still qualify for the full $500,000 gain exclusion available to married couples.

 

See the section of IRS Publication 501 at this link for more information about what to do when your spouse dies during the year.