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posted Jun 6, 2019 8:27:34 AM

My deceased husband and I re-married just before he passed away in 2017. He was a resident of Alaska and I live in WA How should I file?

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Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 8:27:34 AM

So sorry for your loss.  In the year that a spouse passes away, you can still file a joint return, which will be the most advantageous way for you to file. By filing as “Married Filing Jointly” you will get the $4050 personal exemptions for each of you and the standard deduction of $12,700 for a married couple.  (+$1250 for each spouse 65 or older)

You can file a joint return even if one of the spouses had little or no income.

In My Info, you will come to a screen where you can enter the information that your spouse passed away before the date that you are filing the return.

2 Replies
Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 8:27:34 AM

So sorry for your loss.  In the year that a spouse passes away, you can still file a joint return, which will be the most advantageous way for you to file. By filing as “Married Filing Jointly” you will get the $4050 personal exemptions for each of you and the standard deduction of $12,700 for a married couple.  (+$1250 for each spouse 65 or older)

You can file a joint return even if one of the spouses had little or no income.

In My Info, you will come to a screen where you can enter the information that your spouse passed away before the date that you are filing the return.

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 8:27:36 AM

By the way, if you still have dependent children, you can file as a qualified widow for the next two years after this, and still get the MFJ standard deduction.