Income tax filing for widower
My wife died January 11 2021
Do I still file jointly or as a single person
Can I claim her as a deduction for the year
Terry Says
This is an interesting question, and ultimately I am going to suggest you ask your tax preparer, because there are technicalities. But here is an interesting definition from Investopedia:
Understanding Qualified Widow or Widower
Qualifying Widow(er) is one of the five official filing statuses of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).2 It provides financial relief for those who lose their spouses and may be struggling with death-related expenses or other regular household bills. Using the qualified widow(er) status allows the surviving spouse to file taxes as if they were still married, despite the fact that their partner is deceased.
You can file taxes as a qualified widow(er) for the year your spouse died, as well as two years following their death. So, depending on the timing of when the spouse passed during the year, this time frame could technically be three years calendar years.1 After that, you must opt for the status of either single filer or head of household.
Because it is a somewhat unusual status, there are specific rules and regulations about who qualifies.
But do note that one of those “technicalities” requires you to have a dependent whom you can claim on your return! Again,, ask your tax advisor if you qualify for this status.
