can i claim qualifying widower and not claim other dependents

[Texas Roger]

You must have a person you claim on your tax return to qualify to file as a qualifying widower.

Qualifying Widow (or Qualifying Widower) is a filing status that allows you to retain the benefits of the Married Filing Jointly status for two years after the year of your spouse's death. You must have a dependent child in order to file as a Qualifying Widow or Widower.

[ee-ea]

No.  Qualifying Widow (or Qualifying Widower) is a filing status that allows you to retain the benefits of the Married Filing Jointly status for two years after the year of your spouse's death. You must have a dependent child in order to file as a Qualifying Widow or Widower

[bjack36]

Turbo Tax wants to change my filing status to Qualifying widower but I do not have a dependent child.  How is it doing this?  From what I read it is necessary to have a dependent for this status.

[AmyC]

Yes. The program starts and then should change the filing status by the time you are done with the review stage. If you are using the online version:

1. go to Tax Tools,
2. then select Tools,
3. select View Tax Summary,
4. on the left side, select Preview My 1040.
5. verify your filing status