Filing status

[Schuberthb]

My husband died 3/23. I am 76 with no dependents. For the 2024 tax year, what is my filing status?

[AR_CPA2]

Hello Schuberthb,

My heartfelt condolences for your loss!

So if your spouse passed away in 2023, you can file jointly with your spouse for 2023, but for 2024 you will file as Single, since there are no dependents involved.

Thanks for participating in TurboTax's Ask the Expert event today. I hope this information was helpful!

Have an amazing day.

AR (CPA 10+ years)

[VolvoGirl]

When did he die?  03/23/2024 or March 2023?   

Sorry for your loss.  My husband died in 2023.   I filed 2023 as normal Joint.  Next year (for 2024) I will file as Single on a new return and not transfer from 2023.  My income didn't change at all so I will have a much higher tax as Single.  Figuring estimates is a chore.  I have the Desktop program and using the What-If worksheet.  

If he passed this year 2024,  You can file a Joint return the year your spouse died.  For 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.

Then to file Single you should start over and set up a new account for yourself and not transfer from last year.  You will have to re enter any prior carryovers and depreciation, etc. manually.

[Schuberthb]

Thank you and sorry I was not clear. It was 3/2023. I am asking because I read somewhere that I would be qualifying spouse for 2 years, but can’t recall where I read that. 

[xmasbaby0]

@Schuberthb To be a qualifying surviving spouse for the extra two years, you must have a dependent child.   Otherwise, you will file as Single now.

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.

https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/tax-planning-2/tax-implications-for-taxpayers-who-have-lost-a-spous...