W-4

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
May 24, 2023
1 reply
5 views

I am a recent widow. I need to change my W-4 form.

What should my status be? What should my exemptions be?

Ask the Experts - W-4 - May 2023

Best answer by mtran7

Here is a link to a tool that will help you determine if you need to withhold more. https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/w4/

mtran7

Level 2

Hello Freeme!

I am sorry for your loss. If your spouse passed in 2023 you will file your tax return for 2023 as married filing jointly. Then the next year you will file as single, head of house hold, or qualifying widower if you have dependents and have not gotten remarried.

Here is a short survey on the IRS website about what your filing status should be https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/what-is-my-filing-status

This will help you determine if you should change your W4 to single or if you have any exemptions.

Here is more information on filing statuses: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/theres-more-to-determining-filing-status-than-being-married-or-single

No matter how you file on your return, if you do not have any dependents then you should not take any exemptions on your W4 or you run the risk of not having enough tax taken out.

I hope this helps.