Recently widowed in October but need to complete a W-4P; how do i complete the form?

[garcia70]

Recently widowed in October but need to complete a W-4P; how do i complete the form? I was sent the w-4p form to complete since i will be receiving my wife's pension as her beneficiary but how do i fill out this form?

[DoninGA]

Just follow the instructions provided with the form - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4p.pdf

[garcia70]

the instructions doesn't helped been looking at it all day; two questions on this i used to file married filing jointly but wife just passed 2 month ago in october do i check off single or married filing jointly or qualifying survivor spouse. and 2nd. since she has pass do i just use my pension info for step 2 with ss info for step 4? or use the wife info in step 2?

[DoninGA]

Since you will no longer be married in 2024 then select Single on the W-4P.  You only would be a qualified surviving spouse if you have a qualified child as your dependent.

For your 2023 tax return you can file as Married Filing Jointly since your spouse passed away in 2023.

For Step 2 just use your pension and Social Security income.  Unless your wife also had a pension and you are a beneficiary of the pension then add that pension income to yours.