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New Member
posted Apr 7, 2025 8:51:33 AM

Can I claim my husband as a dependent if he didn't work, was trying to get disability, and ultimately ended up on hospice and passing away?

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1 Replies
Level 15
Apr 7, 2025 8:53:51 AM

Very sorry for your loss.  A spouse is never claimed as a dependent even if they had little or no income.

 

  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 $29,200 (+ $1550 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 his 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 he 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://accountants.intuit.com/support/en-us/help-article/tax-filing-status/claiming-qualified-surviving-spouse-filing-status/L7al83jU1_US_en_US