Correct category for 2024 taxes

[C_H1]

My husband and I have always filed a joint married return, no itemization, and we are both seniors.  My husband passed away 9/28/2024.  Do I still file our return as joint married?  His only income in 2024 was his social security payments.

[xmasbaby0]

Very sorry for your loss.  For the year that your spouse died, you can still file a joint return.  That way, you will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $29,200 (+ $1500 for each spouse 65 or older) which will lower the amount of income you are taxed on.

In My Info, you will need to indicate that your spouse died. When his name is in My Info,  there is a screen early in the interview that asks "Do any of these apply to [name] ?’” where you will do that, and then a drop down will appear where you can enter the date he passed.

If you have qualifying dependent children you will be able to file as a qualifying surviving spouse  (QSS) for the next two years after this tax return.  Post back if you need further help.

[C_H1]

Thank you - we have no dependent children but he was in-home hospice for six months prior to his passing.  Will this information be relevant?  Will Turbo Tax automatically select the best category for me to file on once I enter the date of his passing in My Info?

[mbpeddie]

Hello,

I am sorry for the loss of your husband in September of 2024.

For the tax year 2024, you will still file married filing joint. 

For the next 2 years you may qualify for the status of qualifying widower if you do not remarry and have a qualifying child as a dependent.

If you do not have a qualifying child, your status would be single.

[xmasbaby0]

Choose to file MFJ.    The in-home hospice care would only be relevant if you had to pay for that care and are itemizing medical expenses.   In your earlier post, you stated that you do not itemize.

[mbpeddie]

The hospice information would not be relevent to the return. My condolences. 

You would enter your spouse's name , social security as usual like in a  joint return and answer the questions Turbotax asks you about date of passing.

Turbotax will suggest the Married filing joint filing status based on this information.