Wife passed away on 12/31/2021

[Mike JG]

My wife passed away on December 31 of 2021. I know I qualify or think I qualified for QW. In 2022 should I take more out of my RMD so I will pay lower taxes on it. And do I qualify for the same QW for 2023.

[Bsch4477]

Correct. You can file as QW for 2022 and 2023 as long as you are unmarried. 

[Mike JG]

Should I take a larger withdrawal from my IRA because I will be in a lower tax bracket the next two years.

[Anonymous]

if the spouse died in 2021 how can one file QW in 2022 & 2023?

[Bsch4477]

That would make sense. 

[Bsch4477]

That’s the tax law. 

[Anonymous]

? That's the tax law ... you can file QW for 2 additional years after the spouse passes?

[DoninGA]

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@Anonymous wrote:

? That's the tax law ... you can file QW for 2 additional years after the spouse passes?

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You can file as a Qualifying Widower for two years after the passing of a spouse but Only if you have children to claim as dependents on your tax return.

If you do not have a dependent child then you have to file as Single after the year of passing of a spouse and you have not remarried.