tax return filing question

[vtbui86 4]

Hi everyone,

I got married with my current wife in March 2016. My prior wife died in Sept 2015 because of cancer. For my 2015 tax return, do I file married with my deceased wife or my current wife?

[MrsBurgz 104]

? wow!

[belinda63 2,981]

You weren't married to your current wife in 2015 so you can't file joint with her.

[Salah&Dianna 0]

Sorry for your loss. That is a rough time to go through:(

You should have filed on your deceased wife. I am assuming you have filed an extension for 2015 since the deadline has passed.

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Progress Reports to Tax & Finances During US Immigration forum.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Hi everyone,

I got married with my current wife in March 2016. My prior wife died in Sept 2015 because of cancer. For my 2015 tax return, do I file married with my deceased wife or my current wife?

2015 taxes were due in April. Because you were married during 2015 you could file a joint tax return with your deceased wife. After her name, it would say deceased. You sign the return as usual and where her signature would go, you write "filing as surviving spouse". Her income is reported as what was received only until the date of her death. (If additional income for her was received after the date of her death, that is supposed to be reported on a estate return. A separate return in the name "the estate of Mary Smith" is often filed by the executor.)

Now to 2016. It doesn't end until Dec. 31. You are married in 2016 and can file a joint return (by next April) with the new Mrs.