2 years
Qualifying widow(er) Filing status You may use this filing status for 2 years after the year of your spouse’s death if the qualifications are met. This allows you to keep the benefits of Married/RDP filing jointly.

When can I file as a qualifying widow?

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.)

Do widows pay more taxes after spouse dies?

Although there are no additional tax breaks for widows, using the qualifying widow status means your standard deduction will be double the single status amount. Unless you qualify for something else, you’ll usually file as single in the year after your spouse dies.

What is the qualifying widow status?

Qualifying Widow (or Qualifying Widower) is a filing status that allows you to retain the benefits of the Married Filing Jointly status for two years after the year of your spouse’s death. You must have a dependent child in order to file as a Qualifying Widow or Widower.

When to use widow status after spouse dies?

Qualifying widow (er) If you qualify, you can use this filing status for the two tax years after the death of your spouse. However, you can’t use it for the year of death. To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

When do you become a qualifying widow or widower?

Qualifying Widow (or Qualifying Widower) is a filing status that allows you to retain the benefits of the Married Filing Jointly status for two years after the year of your spouse’s death. You can only file as a Qualifying Widow or Widower for the two years after the year in which your spouse died.

Can you file taxes if your spouse died in 2018?

To use this status for the 2018 tax year, all these descriptions must apply to you: Your spouse died in 2018 or 2019, and you didn’t remarry before the end of 2020. You could have filed as married filing jointly with your spouse for the year your spouse died.

Can a surviving spouse file taxes as a qualifying widow?

The qualifying widow tax-filing status can help ease the financial burden of a surviving spouse who qualifies to use it. But the tax benefits are available for a limited time. As the two-year transition limit approaches on this filing status, be sure to plan ahead since your tax status will change.