My wife passed away in early 2022, and now I need to file "separately". When I select widowed it selects "joint". How can I fix this?

[steadyneisah]

My return has been rejected numerous times because I do not have my wife's previous AGI that would have been on the 2021 taxes, if any were even filed.
So I need to change over to widowed, filing separately.  That's all.  That simple.  How?!

[xmasbaby0]

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 $25,900 (+ $1400 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 her 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 she 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.

[snookie_69]

I did that, and the result was my return was rejected because "the 2021 AGI didn't match what the IRS has on file".  Turbo tax never asked for the former AGI on the first filing.  It went through as 0.

I don't think anything was filed for my wife for 2021.  So there may be no AGI on file.  I did print and mail the returns, but never got a response of any kind.  I have the AGI from those forms.  It was also rejected.

Is there a way around this?  I'd like to get the tax break, but ultimately I just want this mess over with.  I'm tired of explaining it, tired of filling out these forms.

[xmasbaby0]

So sorry for the trouble you are having with this.  If you and your spouse filed a joint return in 2021 then the AGI is the same for both of you.   It is the amount on line 11 of the 2021 Form 1040.  But.....you might have trouble e-filing your 2022 return even if you use that amount or use zero.  If neither one works, then print, sign and mail your 2022 joint tax return.

Filing a  joint return is by far more advantageous than filing separately.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

[snookie_69]

I really appreciate the help - and I do have one more question:

If I print and mail the returns, will that actually make it more likely that the returns go through?

I don't see why that would be different...I'm just worried it will be rejected, just take longer to get there.

[xmasbaby0]

Mailed returns are not "accepted" or "rejected" like e-filed returns are.  They are simply opened up by humans and keyed into the system.  So it takes longer for a mailed return to be processed,  but the return will not be "rejected."   Make sure you use a mailing service like certified mail so you can track it and know that the IRS received it, since it will take some time before you can see any information on the IRS refund site.

[snookie_69]

THANK YOU!

[Opus 17]

@snookie_69 

Rejection is not a statement on the quality of the return or the validity of the tax information.  Rejection happens when an e-filed return fails to pass basic quality control checks including the identity of the taxpayer, whether any dependents have been claimed on more than one tax return, and to make sure that all required forms are included and that all the math adds up.

If you print and mail the tax return, it will be processed on its own merits without being influenced by the fact that it was previously rejected when e-filed.  The only significant difference is that printed and mailed returns take longer to process.

If you filed jointly with your spouse last year, use the same AGI for both this year. If you filed separately last year and your wife did not file at all, then zero may work. On the other hand, your spouse‘s Social Security number may have been blocked following their death, which will prevent e-filing even if you get the AGI correct. 

It should be mentioned at this point that you can only file a joint tax return with your spouse if you are your spouse’s appointed legal representative.  (basically, the executor of her estate, although there are some differences.)  While it is generally considered automatic for the surviving spouse to be treated as the deceased spouse‘s legal representative for tax purposes, this might not be the case if you were separated, and your spouse had a new will naming someone else as their representative.  You may need to have a discussion with that person, or even a discussion with an attorney. I only mention this because you seem unaware of your spouse‘s tax situation for last year, and you started off by assuming that you would be required to file separately this year.

[snookie_69]

I greatly appreciate the response.  I left out a lot of history for brevity's sake - but I did initially begin from a place of filing joint as the surviving spouse, as I am the executor and the only person with claim as such. 

However I ran into repeated rejections by the IRS due to a mismatched AGI from 2021, hence looking for a way around it, posting here.

I have filed by mail - so fingers crossed this is just a matter of waiting.

Thanks again to all who answered.