Should I file with single status or qualifying widow?

nategraham2 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 08:47:47 GMT

Turbo tax deluxe 2017 tells me its better to file with single status, instead of qualifying widow. My husband died Dec 2015, and I have 4 dependents, am no one's dependent, have not remarried, and pay for all the maintenance for our home. Can you explain why single is recommended over qualifying widow?

You can only file qualifying widow up to 2 years after yo...

MelaineC — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 08:47:48 GMT

You can only file qualifying widow up to 2 years after your spouse's death and your 2015 tax return (the year he passed) could have been filed Married Filing Jointly. You are eligible to file your 2017 return as a qualifying widow(er) with dependent child if you meet all of the following tests.

You were entitled to file a joint return with your spouse for the year your spouse died. It doesn't matter whether you actually filed a joint return.
Your spouse died in 2015 or 2016 and you didn't remarry before the end of 2017.
You have a child or stepchild for whom you can claim an exemption. This doesn't include a foster child.
This child lived in your home all year, except for temporary absences. There are also exceptions, for a child who was born or died during the year and for a kidnapped child.
You paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home for the year.

If all those apply to you and it is showing to file single, please go back and make sure you entered your dependents correctly in TurboTax.

If you do qualify and dependents are entered correctly and applicable, you can change your status by using the following steps;

- Log into your account.

- Select My Info on the left of the page.

- Select Edit beside Filing Status to change. Attached is a screenshot of where that is located in TurboTax.

topic Should I file with single status or qualifying widow? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Should I file with single status or qualifying widow?

You can only file qualifying widow up to 2 years after yo...