For the two years following the year of death, the surviving spouse may be able to use the Qualifying Widow(er) filing status. To qualify, the taxpayer must: • Be entitled to file a joint return for the year the spouse died, regardless of whether the taxpayer actually filed a joint return that year.

How many years can you file as a widow?

Understanding Qualified Widow or Widower 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.)

How to file an amended tax return for a deceased spouse?

If filing Form 1040X for a deceased taxpayer, enter “Deceased,” the deceased taxpayer’s name, and the date of death across the top of Form 1040X, page 1. If you are filing a joint return as a surviving spouse, enter “Filing as surviving spouse” in the area where you sign the return.

Can you file married jointly after your spouse dies?

Can You File Married Jointly After Your Spouse Dies? 1 Married Filing Jointly. 2 Married Filing Separately. 3 Qualifying Widow (er) During the next two tax years following your spouse’s death, you have the option of filing your federal income tax return using the qualifying widow (er) filing 4 Head of Household. …

What happens if my spouse dies during the tax year?

The Qualifying Widow (or Widower) filing status entitles you to use the Married Filing Jointly tax rates and the highest standard deduction amount (if you do not itemize deductions ). If your spouse died during the tax year, you can still use Married Filing Jointly as your filing status for that year (as long as you otherwise qualify).

Can you remarry in the year of your spouses death?

Remarriage If you remarry in the year of your spouse’s death, you can’t file jointly with your deceased spouse. However, you can use married filing jointly with your new spouse. You and your new spouse can also each use married filing separately.