Do I need to start my own tax acct due my husband passing away in may, he was head of household. and only income? I received 2 widow ssi cks in 2018, and a life insur ck

[carla6922]

my tax acct comes up in my husbands name, he passed away in may and I don't see a box to ck that says that, so would I have to start a new tax page to report the 2 checks I got in 2018 from SS( surviving spouse) and a life insurance ck from his FELI?

[Coleen3 · Accepted solution]

Yes. To file your own return under your own name, you would need to start an account. However, social security is not taxable unless you have sufficient other income to add to it. Your life insurance, if received due to the death or your spouse, is not taxable. See the filing requirement below.

Single 

• Under 65 $12,000
• 65 or older $13,600

Married filing jointly

• Under 65 (both spouses) $24,000
•  65 or older (one spouse) $25,300
•  65 or older (both spouses) $26,600

Married filing separately

• Any age $5

Head of household 

• Under 65 $18,000
•  65 or older $19,600

Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child

• Under 65 $24,000
•  65 or older $25,300

[carla6922]

Thank you.