How to File Taxes When Newly Widowed
While not normally known as the most sensitive of government agencies, the Internal Revenue Service does grant concessions for the newly widowed when the surviving spouse is filing her taxes for the first time after her spouse's death. Widows and widowers can continue to file a joint return for the year in which their spouses die. For up to two years following their death, they can file as a qualifying widow or widower. Typically, the tax liability is less on joint returns than if you must file as a single person and, if you do not file a joint return, you are still responsible for filing a return for your deceased spouse.
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Instructions
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Write "Deceased," your spouse's name and the date of his death on the top of the tax form. Write your and your spouse's name in the spaces provided, along with your address. Check the "Married filing jointly" box on the form.
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Complete your tax return, showing all income and, if preferred, itemizing your deductions. Include a statement specifying that you are not claiming medical deductions on your spouse's estate tax return if you are claiming the deduction.
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Sign the return for yourself and your spouse if he does not have a personal representative. Write "Filing as surviving spouse" beside your spouse's name.
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File your taxes by the due date or request an extension.
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Tips & Warnings
You can still e-file your taxes if you are newly widowed. The software automatically enters the "Filing as a surviving spouse" beside your spouse's name after you enter his date of death.
Refund checks must be in your name alone. If the IRS issues the check in both of your names, void the check and return it with a written request for a new check to the IRS service center that processed your return or your local IRS office.
Funeral expenses are not deductible.
You can only deduct medical expenses that are greater than 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income.
Make sure that you notified the Social Security Administration of your spouse's death before you e-file your return.
