Deceased Spouse question

[AJuarez79]

I have been legally separated from my husband for almost 9 years and was able the last four years to file HOH because he did not live with me at all, we got back together in January but in February he was killed my question is this year do I file Widowed and if I do will I get penalized for the last few years filing HOH even though I was allowed to? 

[Critter · Accepted solution]

You can file a joint return in 2017 if you wish (or HOH but a joint return is usually better) and if you still have a qualifying dependent you can file as Qualifying Widow for 2018 & 2019 ... then go back to HOH if you still have a qualifying dependent.  The IRS knows the filing status can change every year.