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Level 2
March 6, 2023
Question

qualifying surviving spouse

  • March 6, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 9 views

My spouse died in 2020. I was able to file joint for that year.  For 2021 I had to file single and paid a lot of estimated tax.  My 52 year old son has lived with me for about 5 years and has always worked or drawn unemployment.  In 2022 he had NO income at all.  I supported him.  I put him as a dependent and Turbotax says I can file as a qualifying surviving spouse.  He is 52 years old.  This gives me an extremely large refund from federal and state.  I'm nervous about this and want to make sure I am doing this right. 

 

 

 

    1 reply

    DoninGA
    Level 15
    Level 15
    March 6, 2023

    You can file as a Qualifying Widower for two years after the year of passing of your spouse.  Claiming your son as a dependent gives you this filing status for tax year 2022 and is perfectly within the tax code.

    fanfare
    Level 15
    March 6, 2023

    @DoninGA 

    you're not allowed to use the word widow or widower any more. Compare 2021 and 2022 IRS Pub 17.

     

    @Patriciagw 

    if his gross income was less than $4,300 in 2021 you can amend that year's tax return as well

     

    DoninGA
    Level 15
    Level 15
    March 6, 2023

    @fanfare This old guy is not Woke 🙎