{"id":1211,"date":"2018-03-06T17:47:58","date_gmt":"2018-03-06T22:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.etax.com\/blog\/?p=1211"},"modified":"2019-07-11T16:28:09","modified_gmt":"2019-07-11T20:28:09","slug":"qualifying-widow-widower-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.etax.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/06\/qualifying-widow-widower-status\/","title":{"rendered":"Qualifying Widow or Widower Status"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve lost your spouse, you may qualify for a special tax filing status. The qualifying widow(er) status can be used by taxpayers when filing a tax return after their spouse has died. There are some additional requirements that must be met as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n

When you file a return for the year your spouse dies, you\u2019re still eligible to file a joint return as long as you haven\u2019t remarried and the executor of your spouse\u2019s estate approves the joint return. However, if either spouse was a non-resident alien at any point, you won\u2019t be able to file a joint return. <\/span><\/p>\n

For that first year, you\u2019ll include your entire amount of income and deductions for the whole year. Your spouse\u2019s income and deductions are included up to the date of death, and if your spouse owed taxes, you may be liable for the outstanding debt if the estate can\u2019t pay it. <\/span><\/p>\n

For the next two years after the death, you\u2019ll be eligible to use the qualifying widow(er) status, which offers a higher standard deduction<\/a> and lower tax rate than the Single taxpayer status. There are certain requirements you have to follow in order to use the status:<\/span><\/p>\n