Spouse, whose name is on top of MFJ return died in 2021. Will IRS make the change in 2022?

[gary cleveland]

My wife, who died in Sep. 2021 is listed first on our MFJ return.  Using TurboTax 2021 Deluxe, I have answered the IRS question that she died, and included the date of her date.  From reading on this forum,  I know not to change the order of our names. Therefore, her name will be first.

My question is will the IRS automatically drop her name and only show mine in 2022?  I am assuming, correct me if wrong, that I will file my April 15, 2022 estimated taxes with ONLY my SS# on the check.  

All this makes common sense,  but I would like to be certain the IRS will make the Name Changes.

Thank you, gary

[xmasbaby0]

No---do not change the order of the names on your 2021 return.

If you do not have dependent children to claim on your 2022 tax return, then instead of continuing to use the account you have been using for joint returns, you should start a new account with a new user ID. to file as Single.    It is too confusing and messy to remove information from an account that has been used for a joint return if you begin to file Single.   Data will keep popping up and causing errors.   So for 2022, sorry, start a new account.

[xmasbaby0]

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.

[gary cleveland]

Thank you for you response.

We do not have any dependents.   And, for tax year 2022  I will begin a brand new return, filing as a Single taxpayer  Therefore, for my April 15 estimated tax, I  will write my SS# on the check.  

[rjs]

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@gary cleveland wrote:

My question is will the IRS automatically drop her name and only show mine in 2022?

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The IRS does not prepare your tax return. You prepare your tax return. You will drop your wife's name from your 2022 tax return, and file a tax return with only your name.

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@gary cleveland wrote:

I am assuming, correct me if wrong, that I will file my April 15, 2022 estimated taxes with ONLY my SS# on the check.

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Yes, you will put only your name and Social Security number on the check, and only your name and Social Security number on the Form 1040-ES payment voucher that you send with the check.

I want to emphasize even more strongly something that xmasbaby0 said. It's just about impossible to remove one spouse from a joint return, especially the one who is listed first. Trying to do so is bound to cause problems with the return that you will not be able to fix. (I don't know why xmasbaby0 suggested that having dependent children would be an exception.) When you start your 2022 tax return, do not transfer information from your 2021 tax return under any circumstances. If you use TurboTax Online, it is possible to start a new tax return without transferring information from the previous year, but we usually recommend starting with a new account just to be sure. If you use the CD/Download TurboTax software, just don't transfer when you start your 2022 tax return.

[gary cleveland]

Thanks, rjs

I will begin brand new for the 2022 tax return.

I will follow the TT instructions for the 2021 return, where my deceased suppose is listed First (Top Line) with the belief  the IRS will process the return.  It will be my last MFJ return (you are not suppose to say "never" but that is my sincere thinking) 

I'm grateful for TurboTax and this forum.