Dependent for 209

[roleblond]

My wife died on July 23, 2018. Can I use her as a dependent on my 2019 tax return?

[MinhT1 · Accepted solution]

As my wife passed away in 2018, she cannot be your dependent on your 2019 tax return.

However, if you have not remarried and have a dependent child, you can file as a qualified widower, which is more beneficial tax wise than filing as Single.

Please read this TurboTax article for more information.

[Carl]

Bottom line answer is no. Your filing status choices are:

- Single (if you do not have any dependents in 2019)

- Widower (only if you have a qualifying dependent child. Only valid to a maximum of two tax years after the tax year the spouse passed.)

- Head of Household (only if you have a qualifying dependent child and meet other requirements.)

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