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.

How much money does a widow get from Social Security?

Sue’s full retirement benefit from Social Security, at 66 (her Full Retirement Age), is $2,500 per month. Her monthly widows benefit, if she were to take it starting at Full Retirement Age, is $2,700.

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.

How many widows and widowers are owed money?

The Inspector General identified 13,514 widows and widowers who may be owed money. It only carefully examined the case of 50 of them; of those, 44 were owed money — a lot of money.

When to file taxes as a widow or widower?

For two tax years after the year your spouse died, you can file as a qualifying widow or widower. This filing status gives you a higher standard deduction and lower tax rate than filing as a single person.

Can a widow file the same tax bracket as a married couple?

The qualifying widow or widower can enjoy the same standard deduction amount as married couples filing jointly, and, as of 2018, qualifying widows and widowers enjoy the same tax bracket as married couples filing jointly. This gives widowed spouses two years to transition financially to the higher tax burden of a single, unmarried filer.

What does it mean to be a qualifying widow?

A qualifying widow or widower is another name for a federal tax filing status that allows you to file taxes as if you were still Married Filing Jointly with your spouse. This privilege is extended for two years following the death of your spouse. Who qualifies as a Qualifying Widow (er)?

Can a widow file jointly after the death of her spouse?

If you file jointly with your new spouse, you can claim an exemption only on that joint return. 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:

What happens if a widow remarries in the year of his death?

Special circumstances would apply if a widow(er) remarries in the year of their spouse’s death. Remarriage in the same year of a death would require the widow(er) to file as either married filing jointly with their new spouse or married filing separately.