Spouse passed away

[ACO]

My husband passed away Oct. 1 2021. Do I need to do anything different to file my return for 2021?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Very sorry for your loss.  For the year that your spouse died, you can still file a joint return.  That way, you will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $25,100 (+ $1350 for each spouse 65 or older) which will lower the amount of income you are taxed on.

In My Info, you will need to indicate that your spouse died. When his name is in My Info,  there is a screen early in the interview that asks "Do any of these apply to [name] ?’” where you will do that, and then a drop down will appear where you can enter the date he passed.

If you have dependent children still living at home, you will be able to file as a qualified widow for the next two years after this tax return.  Post back if you need further help.

[ACO]

Thank you for your quick response. No we don't have any independent children. Then for 2022 I would file as single?

[AnnetteB6]

No, as long as you did not remarry in 2021, you can still file a joint return with your spouse for your 2021 tax return.

As you go through the Personal Info section of the return, be sure to indicate that your spouse has passed away and the date of death.  This will allow TurboTax to make the proper designation on your return as well as trigger any additional information screens to help you along the way.

My condolences for your loss.

Take a look at the following TurboTax article for further information:  

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

[brookfield1]

Thank you.

My confusion is:

On the screen for my husband, I check he has passed away, with the date of his death.

On the screen for myself, I check spouse has passed away, with the date of his death.

On the feedback screen, it appears that both of us have passed away.  Is this correct?

[DaveF1006]

List yourself as the  primary taxpayer and list you husband as the spouse. Be sure when you enter your information, you don't indicate you passed away before filing the return when you enter your information. Then indicate you are widowed and check that your spouse passed away in 2022 when a screen appears asking for this information.

Now when you enter your spouses information, there will be a screen that ask if any of these apply in 2022. Here you will check that he passed in 2022 and you will supply the date he passed away. Doing this will ensure a smooth, accurate reporting.

{Edited 04/03/23} (2:16 PM PST} @brookfield1

[djej0523]

My spouse (husband) passed away on Oct 2 2023 He is the first name on taxes and we filed jointly. I am having difficulty logging into site and have already received message from Life Lock to insure I am attempting to log into account. Thank you Dale Johnson

[VolvoGirl]

Are you logging into his account?  Don't try to change the order of names.  You still file a Joint return for 2023.

[djej0523]

is the system down because I can not get it to move past has anything changed. is this where I put that he is deceased

[Texas Roger]

Go to Personal Info and Edit the information for your deceased spouse. The second screen will allow you to choose "Passed away before filing this return"