Accountant

[WTBaskin]

How many years can a surviving Spouse claim her deceased husband as a dependant?

[Unregistered]

None. Can usually file MFJ for year of death

[OldJack]

None. Can usually file MFJ for year of death

Qualifying Widow(er) gets an extra year after the date of death year if filed as Qualified Widow(er) and meets the qualifications:

1). Widow(er) was entitled to file a joint return for the year the spouse died.
2). Widow(er) did not remarry before the end of the tax year.
3). Widow(er) paid more than half the cost of keeping up the home.
4). Widow(er) home was the main home for the entire year of the Widow(er)'s dependent child, step-, adopted, or foster child. A foster child can include a grandchild or any other child who was a member of the Widow(er)'s household for the entire year.

[Jiggers]

Old Jack is wrong

You can't claim the deceased person in the year after the death.

However, you can file using the MFJ tax chart for two years after the date of death.

[Armando Beaujolais]

MFJ when the spouse died during the year regardless of whether there are any kids.

Qualifying widower with dependent child (MFJ tax rates) for two years after year of death if qualifications are met.

[JON]

Armando

your back. Bees doing returns now???

[OldJack]

You can't claim the deceased person in the year after the death.

However, you can file using the MFJ tax chart for two years after the date of death.

Note that my post was not about filing joint with someone that was dead all year, rather that the Qualified Widow(er) status gives the same tax rates as MFJ.

I stand corrected on the number of years for Qualified Widow(er). It is 2 years if qualified and not an extra year.