My spouse is deceased as of October 2023. He received SS and did not file in 2022. My return is being rejected due to incorrect 2022 AGI. How can I resolve this?

[lorettamcdaniel]

I am filing as Widower, which is having me file married-filing-joint, as he passed away during the 2023 year.

[xmasbaby0]

Very sorry for your loss.  Do not file as "Widower" if your spouse passed away in 2023.  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 $27,700 (+ $1500 for each spouse 65 or older) which will lower the amount of income you are taxed on.

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.

If you filed a joint return for 2022, the AGI is the same for both of you. It is the amount on line 11 of your 2022 Form 1040.  

[Opus 17]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Now this is going to be a bit confusing.  How did you file last year?  If you filed a joint tax return, you should have listed all your combined income (including social security benefits) and let Turbotax figure out what was taxable.  If you filed jointly, you have the same AGI, so when filing jointly this year, use the same AGI for both.

If you filed separately (married filing separately) last year, then you made a mistake.  If you filed separately, then he was also required to file separately, because his social security becomes automatically taxable when filing MFS.  If he did not file, try zero as the AGI for this year.  But, you may then have to go back and file an amended return for 2022 and any other year when you filed separately and he had a social security benefit but did not file.  You may want to consult with a tax professional.

If you can't e-file using your AGI or zero, then you will need to print your tax return, sign it, and mail it in.