Deceased spouse

[Laura936]

Spouse was primary in the past.  Should he still be listed first on tax return?

Will we need his driver's license information in order to e-file?

State of Virginia income tax filed through the mail (due to $ of e-file) There doesn't appear to be an indication that spouse is deceased.  Should I write deceased in the signature space?  Will I need to include a copy of death certificate?

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

Did he die in 2023?  My husband died last year too.  I filed a Joint return with him still listed as Primary.  It printed his name and deceased date up at the very top of the 1040.  I efiled both federal and state.  State is only $25 to efile from the Desktop program.  I didn't need to include a death cert.

Next year I will have to do my own return as Single and not transfer from 2023 but need to start over.  Do you have children?  You can file a Joint return the year your spouse died.  For the next two years following a husband's or wife's death, the surviving spouse can file as a qualifying widow or widower if they have a qualifying child. That basically lets you continue to use the same tax brackets that apply to married-filing-jointly returns.  After the year of death if you don't have a child you file as Single.

[Laura936]

Were you able to e-file?  I read that you can't because the ssn has been frozen.

Thanks for your answer, he did pass away in 2023 and there are no dependents.

[DianeW777]

Yes, you can file electronically.  The IRS has allowed this for deceased taxpayers for several years.  

• IRS FAQ

I send my sympathies to you and your family.

@Laura936 

[VolvoGirl]

Yes I efiled Federal and state.  And got my refunds direct deposited.  Which I didn't think about until later.  They went into my bank account without his name being on the account.