In 2016 TurboTax, "Filing as surviving spouse" shows on the line for the deceased instead of the line for the surviving spouse.

My mom (the surviving spouse) is filing Married Filing Jointly and this is in TN. I tried putting my dad (the deceased) as the primary filer and then switched that to my mom as the primary filer, and in both cases, "Filing as surviving spouse" shows on the signature line for my dad and has his occupation to the right. Isn't "Filing as surviving spouse" supposed to be on the signature line for the surviving spouse?

1218

Expert Alumni

Jun 3, 2019 11:25:36 AM

No. The reason for this is because the deceased cannot sign the tax return, therefore this statement replaces the signature. The surviving spouse will sign the tax return as usual, whether by a signature pin for e-file or physical signature for paper file.

Returning Member

Apr 6, 2020 3:26:06 PM

What if I want to efile but do not have my deceased spouses PIN. He is the one who had always done our taxes.

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In 2016 TurboTax, "Filing as surviving spouse" shows on the line for the deceased instead of the line for the surviving spouse.