Can I file a Married Filing Jointly return as the surviving spouse with TurboTax , and what versions support this filing status?

[bluedeb · Accepted solution]

Sorry for your loss.  When a spouse dies during the year, the IRS considers you married for the entire year and you can use the filing status "married filing jointly" when your tax return is prepared.  TurboTax will put on the top of form 1040 for your spouse, "deceased" and your spouse's name and date of death.

How should I file my return if my spouse recently died?

You should also file jointly with your late spouse unless you remarried in 2019. In that case, you'd file a joint return with your new spouse and file your deceased spouse's return as Married Filing Separately.

If your spouse died in 2017 or 2018, you didn't remarry in 2019, and you have a child that meets certain qualifications, you might be able to file as a Qualifying Widow(er) which has certain tax advantages. When you go through the Personal Info section in TurboTax, we'll ask a series of questions to determine if you meet those requirements.

During the interview you will see a screen Do Any of These Apply to [their name]? 

1. Mark the box Passed away before filing this return.  
2. Enter her date of death in the box provided and click Continue.  
3. As you continue through the interview TurboTax will ask you for additional information if needed.

You can use the Online or CD/Download, any version.

[Sampson1]

What do you do if you keep getting the return rejected because the primary taxpayer's AGI and PIN doesn't match last year's AGI and PIN?  I've checked and both are correct for myself and my deceased spouse.  Is Turbo Tax automatically making the surviving spouse the primary tax payer for 2019 even if that person wasn't listed as primary before?

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry,  There is a problem with Efiling when one spouse died during the year.  You have print and mail your return this year.

[BettyJCarson]

My e-file submission keeps getting rejected and says AGI is wrong; filing as MFJ as surviving spouse with TurboTax 2020 Business & Personal.

[AshleyLO]

@BettyJCarson Please see the following help article for assistance with what to enter for your AGI as a surviving spouse: What AGI should I enter if I'm recently divorced or widowed?