TT won't change my marital status.

[DesslokWA]

I entered the incorrect year(2024 instead of 2023) for my wife's passing and I am trying to change my martial status to "Surviving Spouse" but TT will not let me change it and gets stuck in a loop of saying that I should choose "married filing jointly". I am using the desktop version for Mac.

Thank you for any help you can provide.

[DawnC]

Do you have a qualifying dependent?   If not, you have to remove your spouse and file as Single in 2024.  I'm sorry for your loss.

Taxpayers can claim the qualifying surviving spouse filing status if all of the following conditions are met:

• You were entitled to file a joint return with your spouse for the year your spouse died (2023).
• Have had a spouse who died in either of the two prior years. You must not remarry before the end of the current tax year.
• Have a child, stepchild, or adopted child who qualifies as your dependent for the year or would qualify as your dependent except that the child does not meet the gross income test, or does not meet the joint return test, or except that you may be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer. You live with this child in your home all year, except for temporary absences.
• Live with this child in the taxpayer’s home all year, except for temporary absences.

[DesslokWA]

Sorry, I forgot to put that I have two children from the marriage that are still dependants.

[PaulaM]

Remove your spouse. Clear your cache and cookies, then go back to the Personal Info section and select 'Widowed'. 

[DesslokWA]

Clear my cache and cookies? I am using the desktop version of TT.

[PaulaM]

Great! Skip that part then and remove your spouse. Then add back. 

[DesslokWA]

What is the best way to delete my spouse in the desktop version?

[LindaS5247 · Accepted solution]

You can click on your "Personal Info" Tab in TurboTax Desktop and select "Continue" and then under "You & Your Family" you can scroll down to your wife and select "Edit" next to her name to change her information.

You can also:

1. Click on your "Personal Info" tab. 
2. Click on "Edit" next to your name. 
3. Continue through your screens to "Were you married?" You can select "Widowed" 
4. It will ask what year your spouse passed away. Select "2023".  
5. Next to "Filing Status" under your name on the "Personal Info" tab select "Edit" your screen will say "Review Your Filing Status" 
6. Click the box "Change my filing status" and a drop down menu will appear, 
7. Select "Qualifying surviving spouse"

[DesslokWA]

Thank you! That worked the treat!