topic Death of a spouse and filing status in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Death of a spouse and filing status

pea3atmyhead — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 06:46:34 GMT

Hello, my husband passed away on Dec 27, 2021. I filed as married filing jointly in Jan 2022 but my tax refund was greatly delayed because I was told I used a deceased person's SS # which I did. Can I file again this year as married filing jointly. I was told a widow could do this for 2 years after a spouse passes. If not, how should I file for 2022?

Re: Death of a spouse and filing status

DoninGA — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 23:39:40 GMT

If you have no children as dependents and have not remarried then you will file as Single on the 2022 tax return.

Re: Death of a spouse and filing status

pea3atmyhead — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 23:51:43 GMT

Ok, thanks for the information. So I don"t use my husbands name or SS # at all on the return?

Re: Death of a spouse and filing status

DoninGA — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 23:53:31 GMT

@pea3atmyhead wrote:

Ok, thanks for the information. So I don"t use my husbands name or SS # at all on the return?

No, you do not enter any of his information on your 2022 tax return.

Re: Death of a spouse and filing status

pea3atmyhead — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 23:54:48 GMT

Again, thank you.

Re: Death of a spouse and filing status

pea3atmyhead — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:05:33 GMT

Ok one last question please, will I have to pay more taxes or will receive a smaller refund because I'm filing as single rather than married filing jointly?

Re: Death of a spouse and filing status

DoninGA — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:11:39 GMT

Your standard deduction is reduced to $12,950 and the tax rate on your taxable income also changes to a higher rate depending on the amount of income.

Tax rates for tax year 2022 - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-provides-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2022