I was told by IRS to file as Qualifying Spouse, where do I change on form?

[Mike9241]

go back through the personal info section

[donnabaimbridge]

Thanks for responding but you can't change how the program tags the selection and you can't override.   The way the question is asked and answered marks it as single - widowed but doesn't give credit for full standard deduction.

[VolvoGirl]

How are you a qualifying spouse?  When  did your husband pass?  Do you have a child?

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.

See the eligibility rules at the bottom of page 10 of IRS publication 501

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf

[donnabaimbridge]

'You may be eligible to use qualifying surviv-

ing spouse as your filing status for 2 years fol-

lowing the year your spouse died. For example,

if your spouse died in 2021 and you haven't re-

married, you may be able to use this filing sta-

tus for 2022 and 2023. The rules for using this

filing status are explained in detail here.'

This is what the publication says which is what the IRS Tax Law said as well.  I receive SS Survivor benefits and my husbands SS number is on the 1099 as well as mine.  The return got kicked back twice from IRS which led to the phone call. So I probably just need to file a paper return.  Thanks for your help.