Marriage, Divorce & Family

“What changes on my tax return when my spouse dies?”

Life eventQuick Question · 30 min · $95

When a spouse dies, the tax return often changes in ways that depend on filing status, the timing of the death, and whether there are dependent children or other household members. The return may need to reflect a different filing status in the year of death and, in some cases, a surviving spouse may continue to qualify for certain filing options for a period of time. Income reported, deductions, and credits can also shift if there are survivor benefits, inherited assets, or final expenses involved. The details usually depend on the couple’s prior filing pattern and the records available for the final and following returns. A CPA who reads your specifics can usually tell you, in plain English, where this lands.

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