Tax guide

Qualifying Widow(er) Filing Status

The “Qualifying Surviving Spouse” filing status (formerly known as the "Qualifying Widow or Widower” filing status” provides aid to taxpayers who must support dependents after a spouse dies. For the year that the spouse passes away, the surviving taxpayer can still choose the Married Filing Jointly status. In the two years that follow, the surviving spouse can use the Qualifying Surviving Spouse” filing status to claim a standard deduction equal to their former Married Filing Jointly status. This status can be claimed for as long as they pay more than 50% of the household expenses, claim a qualifying child dependent, and do not remarry.

See IRS Publication 501, “Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information,” for more information.

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