What's the difference between filing single vs widowed?

[DoninGA]

A Qualifying Widow means that your spouse passed away within the past two years and that you have a qualifying child as a dependent.  If this is not your situation then use the filing status of Single.

[JillS56]

You are eligible to file as a qualified widow for 2 years after the year in which your spouse died and only if you have a dependent child.   If you have no dependent child(ren) you would file single.  The key between single and widow would be dependent children.

The year in which the spouse died your filing status would be Married Filing Joint.  The next year would be single unless you have a dependent child(ren) then you could file as a qualified widow. but only for 2 years after the death of a spouse.    For example, if your spouse died in 2020 and you have two dependent children.  You would file married filing jointly in 2020.   Then for 2021 and 2022, you could file qualifying widow as long as you are still able to claim the two children.   In 2023, you would have to file single or head of household depending on whether or not you can still claim the children.