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posted Feb 20, 2025 3:46:48 PM

I file the taxes for my spouse and me. My spouse is the primary on this account but passed away in 2024. How do I make myself primary and file our taxes?

My email address but Turbo Tax addresses me as my husband who is now deceased. I need to be primary.

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1 Replies
Level 15
Feb 20, 2025 3:56:48 PM

Very sorry for your loss.  For the year that your spouse died, you can still file a joint return.  That way, you will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $29,200 (+ $1550 for each spouse 65 or older) which will lower the amount of income you are taxed on.

 

Do not change the order of the names.  Leave them just the way they have been.  Changing the order of the names would cause all kinds of errors as you go through the program.

 

In My Info, you will need to indicate that your spouse died. When his name is in My Info,  there is a screen early in the interview that asks "Do any of these apply to [name] ?’” where you will do that, and then a drop down will appear where you can enter the date he passed.

If you have qualifying dependent children you will be able to file as a qualifying surviving spouse  (QSS) for the next two years after this tax return.  Post back if you need further help.

 

 

https://accountants.intuit.com/support/en-us/help-article/tax-filing-status/claiming-qualified-surviving-spouse-filing-status/L7al83jU1_US_en_US

 

 

 

When you file your next tax return for 2025, if you file as Single then, you will want to start a new account with a different user name so that the spouse information that is embedded in the account does not cause errors.