Surviving Spouse filing

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
October 25, 2023
1 reply
13 views

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?

Ask the Experts - Extension - Sept 2023

RyanH5

Level 5

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.

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