topic Spouse died/change status in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Spouse died/change status

bethhoov — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 19:41:52 GMT

My spouse died in 2023. I have no dependents. How do I change status from married filing jointly to single filing single? Will I be able to remove my spouses information?

Re: Spouse died/change status

VolvoGirl — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 19:45:21 GMT

Sorry for your loss. My husband also died in 2023. I filed 2023 as normal Joint. For 2024 I filed as Single on a new return and not transferred from 2023. My income didn't change at all so I will have a much higher tax as Single. Figuring estimates is a chore. I have the Desktop program and using the What-If worksheet.

So if you use the Online version you need to setup a brand new account for yourself and not transfer from 2023.

Re: Spouse died/change status

LindaS5247 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:16:00 GMT

If your spouse passed in 2023, then you were able to file as Married Filing Jointly for the 2023 tax year. ‌In 2024, you will file as "Single".

When you start your tax return in TurboTax you will be asked questions about your situation and TurboTax will select "Single" for you based on your answers.

When entering your information regarding you & your family, TurboTax will ask you if you were married. ‌You can select "Widowed." When you select that, a new question will appear asking in what year did your spouse pass away. ‌You will choose 2023.‌ That way TurboTax will know what you are trying to do as far as filing status and the program will prepare your tax return accordingly.

You will not have to remove your spouse's information.

As VolvoGirl mentions above, you can start a new tax return without transferring your prior-year data as well.

You will need to start a new TurboTax account if you are using the Online version of TurboTax. ‌You can use the same email address for your new account. Up to five accounts can be used for an email address.

Click here for "How should I file my return if my spouse recently died?"

Click here for "Death in the Family"

Re: Spouse died/change status

spuk00 — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 21:07:38 GMT

Last year you filed joint and included his date of death in the return. It should have printed out on the 1040 next to his name. This year, you are filing single and there is no need to include any of his information on the return.