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Widow this year

denisebox — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:34:06 GMT

I became a widow recently. I donated all of his clothes to a non-profit and have a receipt. It is several thousand dollars, am I able to deduct all of it. What is the limit? Where can I find everything I need to know/do/consider when filing taxes next year now that I am a widow?

Re: Widow this year

Loretta P — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:09:56 GMT

Hello denisebox, I'm sorry for your loss.

You will still file as married filing joint in the year that your spouse died.

When you donate items such as clothing and household goods you do need the receipt. The donation should be valued at fair market value of the items at the time they were donated not the original purchase price. This link has helpful information on Charitable Contributions

Below are some links that provide some additional information on things to consider when filing your upcoming return.

Real Talk Series: I Am Recently Widowed. How Will This Affect My Taxes?

Tax Implications for Taxpayers Who Have Lost a Spouse

Re: Widow this year

xmasbaby0 — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:13:55 GMT

Very sorry for your loss. For the year that your spouse died, you can still file a joint return. That way, you will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $27,700 (+ $1500 for each spouse 65 or older) which will lower the amount of income you are taxed on.

In My Info, you will need to indicate that your spouse died. When his name is in My Info, there is a screen early in the interview that asks "Do any of these apply to [name] ?’” where you will do that, and then a drop down will appear where you can enter the date he passed.

If you have qualifying dependent children you will be able to file as a qualifying surviving spouse (QSS) for the next two years after this tax return. Post back if you need further help.

As for the charity donations......will you be itemizing other deductions like mortgage interest and property tax? If not, then the charity donations have no effect on your refund or tax due. The charity donations only affect your refund or tax due if you also have enough other itemized deductions to exceed your standard deduction.