two years
Filing Status After Qualifying Widow(er) You can only file as a Qualifying Widow or Widower for the two years after the year in which your spouse died. For example: If your spouse died in 2020, you may only qualify as a Qualifying Widow or Widower for 2021 and 2022 as long as you meet the other requirements.

How does a widow qualify for taxes?

Qualifying widow(er)

1. You qualified for married filing jointly with your spouse for the year he or she died.
2. You didn’t remarry before the close of the tax year in which your spouse died.
3. You have a child, stepchild, or adopted child you claim as your dependent.
4. You paid more than half the cost of maintaining your home.

How long do you have to be a widow to file taxes?

The federal qualifying widow or widower tax filing status is available for two years for widows and widowers (surviving spouses) with dependents after their spouse’s death.

What are tax breaks afforded to a qualifying widow?

For the two years that follow the death of a spouse, the widow or widower is allowed to file using the special filing status of qualifying widow/widower. This filing status allows him or her to take the higher standard deduction available by using the married filing jointly tax rates.

When to file for qualifying widow ( er ) status?

For the two years after the year of your spouse’s death, you can use the Qualifying Widow(er) filing status if all 5 of the following statements are true: For the year in which your spouse died, you filed (or could have filed) a joint return with your spouse. You did not remarry (during the two years after the year of your spouse’s death).

Can a surviving spouse use Qualifying Widow status?

When a spouse passes away, the surviving spouse may be able to use the qualifying widow status, which provides many of the same tax benefits as the married filing jointly status. But there are rules for who can use this status and when you can use it.