When completing a new W4 after the loss of a spouse, you will select single as your filing status.
In most situations, the last married filing joint return will be completed for the tax year of the spouse's death. Following that final joint return, the surviving spouse will then file as single. A limited group of taxpayers may benefit from a qualifying surviving spouse status for two tax years following the death of a spouse, provided the surviving spouse does not remarry, still has a dependent living at home, and provides for more than half of the expenses of maintaining the household.
You mentioned that you are receiving an annuity following the death of your spouse (and that you will continue to receive it.) Assuming that this is a taxable annuity, you can handle tax withholding from that income stream one of two ways:
1. Contact the annuity provider and have federal (and state, if this applies to you) taxes withheld directly from your annuity payments.
2. Complete a new Form W-4 and report the total annual annuity income in step 4a (other income, not from jobs.) If you still have a dependent living at home, you can check the box for "Married filing jointly or Qualifying surviving spouse," otherwise, you would select "Single."
Clarissa
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