Problems e-filing for widow

[janet753]

I've always had problems e-filing for my elderly parents- something about their names and Social Security numbers and changes in protocol since 9/11.  However, now my Dad has passed and I thought e-filing for my Mom would be easy.  Her prior year AGI is perfect, but the 2019 tax return had my Dad's social security number as primary, although Mom's was listed.  The return is pretty simple, but it has been rejected 3 times.  I've rechecked the date, AGI.  What else might be wrong?

[SweetieJean]

If Dad passed in 2020, Mom should still be filing a Joint return for 2020.  If Dad's SSN is locked, she may need to file it  by mail.

If, however, he passed in  2019, then you cannot just delete his name from their TT account.  Rather, you must set up a new one for Mom, and enter just her info in it.  The IRS keeps its record by the SSN of the first person on the return, so she might need to file by mail this time as well.