Filing after death of a spouse

[Mainsa77]

My husband passed away in 2022, so I filed in 2023 as Married filing jointly.  In 2024 for the 2023 taxes I also plan to file Married Jointly as advised that it allows 2 years to file this status.  We do have 3 young children all under 18. What status do I file the following year?  Thank you!

[VolvoGirl]

You can file joint or qualifying widow for 2 years AFTER the year of death if you have children.  So you get another year.  You can file 2024 (next year in 2025) the same.  After that you file as Single on your 2025 return.  

[DMarkM1 · Accepted solution]

First, so sorry for your loss.  Since your husband passed away in 2022 you would have filed Married Filing Jointly (MFJ) for that tax year.  Since you have children you would file Qualified Surviving Spouse for tax years 2023 and 2024.  That allows you the MFJ standard deduction.  For 2025, assuming you still have a qualifying child, you file head of household. 

Here is Publication 501 for more information on filing status.

[Mainsa77]

Thank you!  Great to know!