Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 2
posted Feb 27, 2020 4:45:10 PM

Will turbotax use married -filing-jointly tax tables for a quilifying widower in year two?

My spouse passed away in 2018.  My TurboTax return in 2018 showed the filing status as "Married filing jointy", with a note at the top listing the date of death.  My understaning was that tax law provides (andTuboTax) uses the same tax brackets that apply to married-filing-jointly returns for two years.  My input for 2019 shows my filing status as "Single" for 2019.  Either I don't know the tax law, or how to input my information correctly for year two (2019).  Can anyone help?

0 3 780
2 Best answers
Level 15
Feb 27, 2020 4:48:22 PM

Do you have a child?   The next two years following a husband's or wife's death, the surviving spouse can file as a qualifying widow or widower if they have a qualifying child. That basically lets you continue to use the same tax brackets that apply to married-filing-jointly returns.  After the year of death if you don't have a child you file as Single.

Level 15
Feb 27, 2020 4:51:32 PM
3 Replies
Level 15
Feb 27, 2020 4:48:22 PM

Do you have a child?   The next two years following a husband's or wife's death, the surviving spouse can file as a qualifying widow or widower if they have a qualifying child. That basically lets you continue to use the same tax brackets that apply to married-filing-jointly returns.  After the year of death if you don't have a child you file as Single.

Level 15
Feb 27, 2020 4:51:32 PM
Level 2
Feb 27, 2020 5:22:18 PM

Thank you.  My understanding of the tax law was wrong - ouch!  I very much appreciate the help!!!