topic How do I handle the death of a spouse during current tax year? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

How do I handle the death of a spouse during current tax year?

titan2frank-gmai — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:58:54 GMT

My wife died Aug 6, 2023.

Re: How do I handle the death of a spouse during current tax year?

NCperson — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 08:49:33 GMT

@titan2frank-gmai sorry for your loss. You still file Married- Filing Joint for the 2023 tax year. the tax return is no different than 2022 (other than checking the box that a spouse passed in 2023 - TT will ask you)

Assuming no chidren and you do not re-marry, you would file Single in 2024 tax year (i.e. April 2025).

Re: How do I handle the death of a spouse during current tax year?

xmasbaby0 — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 13:45:10 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 her 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 she 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.

https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/tax-planning-2/tax-implications-for-taxpayers-who-have-lost-a-spouse-45419/