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Level 2
Feb 20, 2025 12:10 AM UTC
Solved

Deceased spouse

I am not executor of my deceased husband's will.  IRS instructions advise to file "married, filing separately".  I do not see that choice in Turbo Tax 2024.

VolvoGirl
VolvoGirlAnswer
Level 15
Feb 20, 2025 3:43 AM UTC

Is there a reason you don’t want to file a Joint return?  Did you file Joint for 2023?   If he passed in 2024,  You can file a Joint return the year your spouse died.  For the next two years following a husband's or wife's death, the surviving spouse can file as a qualifying widow or widower if they have a qualifying child. That basically lets you continue to use the same tax brackets that apply to married-filing-jointly returns.  After the year of death if you don't have a child you file as Single.

3 replies

Alumni - Intuit
Feb 20, 2025 12:16 AM UTC

On the screen that says Were you Married? You need to indicate that you were married but you do not want to file this return together with your spouse:

 

 

I am sorry for your loss.

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Aggie07Author
Level 2
Feb 20, 2025 3:38 AM UTC

 I will give that a try.  It is confusing since he passed away in April.  Thank you. 

VolvoGirl
VolvoGirlAnswer
Level 15
Feb 20, 2025 3:43 AM UTC

Is there a reason you don’t want to file a Joint return?  Did you file Joint for 2023?   If he passed in 2024,  You can file a Joint return the year your spouse died.  For the next two years following a husband's or wife's death, the surviving spouse can file as a qualifying widow or widower if they have a qualifying child. That basically lets you continue to use the same tax brackets that apply to married-filing-jointly returns.  After the year of death if you don't have a child you file as Single.