how do I make myself as the primary taxpayer when my husband died in 2024?

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

Sorry for your loss. I lost my husband in 2023.  Don't change the name order for 2024.  You can file a Joint return as normal 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. And then next year start over with a new return and new account.

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

Since your spouse passed away in 2024 there is no need to change the order on your 2024 tax return since you can file the 2024 return as Married Filing Jointly.  

You will need to indicate in the section for their personal information that they passed away during the year and then enter the date of passing.

For tax year 2025 that you will be filing in 2026 you will need to create a new account with a new User ID since you are no longer married for tax purposes.