Filing Status

[STim50]

My spouse passed away in 2022 and I filed MFJ with no dependents.  In May, 2023, my daughter (in her 30s) and my 2 grandchildren (under age 10) moved in with me and I provide over half of their living expenses.  While I know I can file as HOH, can I file as a qualifying widow with a dependent child in 2023?

[ElizabethW2]

Hello, STim50!

I hope your day is going well.

Pursuant to IRS guidelines, to qualify for the Qualifying Widow(er) filing status, one must have a child, stepchild or adopted child that qualifies as the taxpayer's dependent.  Depending on your daughter's income situation, whether she lived with you for all of 2023 and her age likely prevents her from qualifying you for this status.  Unfortunately, grandchildren are not listed in IRS's guidelines.  

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Elizabeth W., EA