Marriage, Divorce & Family

“How do I report taxes after my spouse passes away?”

Life eventQuick Question · 30 min · $95

When a spouse passes away, the tax filing picture often changes based on the year of death, whether a joint return is still available, and how income, deductions, and refunds are reported afterward. The filing approach can also depend on who is handling the estate, whether there is a surviving spouse, and whether any final payroll, retirement, or investment documents are still arriving. In many cases, the key issue is separating the decedent’s final tax matters from the survivor’s ongoing returns, while making sure records, account ownership, and notices from the IRS are handled consistently. Working through the specifics with a CPA is the cleanest way to land on the right move.

In your 30-minute session, the KGOB advisor handling it will:

Read your exact situation and tell you, in plain English, what’s actually going on.
Lay out your options and the trade-offs — no jargon, no judgment.
Give you a clear next step you can act on, whether that’s with us or on your own.