[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":7},["ShallowReactive",2],{"faq-standard-13":3},{"rec_id":4,"title":5,"text":6},"13","Can I use the Qualifying Surviving Spouse filing status?","You may file as a \u003Ci>Qualifying Surviving Spouse\u003C/i> if all of the following apply:\r\n\u003Col>\u003Cli>Your spouse died in 2023 or 2024 and you didn't remarry in 2025.\u003C/li>\r\n\u003Cli>You have a child, adopted child, or stepchild who \u003Ca href=\"/freefile2025/answers?faq=7504\">qualifies\u003C/a>.\u003C/li>\r\n\u003Cli>This child lived in your home for all of 2025. Temporary absences, such as for school, vacation, or medical care, count as time lived in the home.\u003C/li>\r\n\u003Cli>You paid over half the cost of keeping up your home.\u003C/li>\r\n\u003Cli>You could have filed a joint return with your spouse the year he or she died, even if you didn't actually do so.\u003C/li>\u003C/ol>\r\nIf your spouse died in 2025, you can't file as \u003Ci>Qualifying \r\nSurviving Spouse\u003C/i>. Instead, you would usually file as \u003Ci>Married Filing Jointly\u003C/i>. \u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>\r\n\r\nThe following IRS tool can help you determine what filing status to use: \u003Ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/what-is-my-filing-status\" target=\"blank\">What Is My Filing Status\u003Cspan class=\"append_external\" style=\"margin-right:0px;\"> \u003C/span>\u003C/a>",1777391526362]