Death of a spouse and filing status

[pea3atmyhead]

Hello, my husband passed away on Dec 27, 2021.  I filed as married filing jointly in Jan 2022 but my tax refund was greatly delayed because I was told I used a deceased person's SS # which I did.  Can I file again this year as married filing jointly. I was told a widow could do this for 2 years after a spouse passes.  If not, how should I file for 2022? 

[DoninGA]

If you have no children as dependents and have not remarried then you will file as Single on the 2022 tax return.

[pea3atmyhead]

Ok, thanks for the information. So I don"t use my husbands name or SS # at all on the return?

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

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@pea3atmyhead wrote:

Ok, thanks for the information. So I don"t use my husbands name or SS # at all on the return?

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No, you do not enter any of his information on your 2022 tax return.  

[pea3atmyhead]

Again, thank you.

[pea3atmyhead]

Ok one last question please, will I have to pay more taxes or will receive a smaller refund because I'm filing as single rather than married filing jointly?

[DoninGA]

Your standard deduction is reduced to $12,950 and the tax rate on your taxable income also changes to a higher rate depending on the amount of income.

Tax rates for tax year 2022 - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-provides-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2022