Surviving Spouse filing

[loreebruton]

My spouse passed away in the summer of 2021.  I was able to file as a surviving spouse in 2022.  It's my understanding that that will also be the case in 2023, but not thereafter.  Can you please verify this?  

[RyanH5]

If your spouse passed away in 2021, then 2023 would be the final year you would qualify as a surviving spouse as long as you: 

• Did not remarry before Jan. 1, 2023
• Paid more than one half of the cost of keeping up your home
• Your home is the main home of a dependent child or stepchild (foster children do not qualify)

Filing as a surviving spouse allows a taxpayer to continue in the same tax brackets and standard deduction as someone filing jointly. If after the time window expires to file as a surviving spouse, you still have qualifying dependents, you will likely qualify as Head of Household.

You can find out more about different filing status' here.