Surviving Spouse

[sər-VAHY-ving spous]

What is the definition of Surviving Spouse?

A person whose spouse has died within the tax year and who may file a joint tax return for that year. Additionally, the surviving spouse can file joint returns for the next two years if they remain unmarried and maintain a household as the principal residence for a dependent child.

Using Surviving Spouse in an Example

A surviving spouse whose partner died in the current tax year can file a joint tax return for this year. If they remain unmarried and keep a household for a dependent child, they can also file jointly for the next two tax years.

Using Surviving Spouse in a sentence

After her husband passed away, Jane, as a surviving spouse, filed a joint tax return for the year of his death and planned to do so for the next two years while caring for their dependent child.

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