When using the filing status: Married Filing Joint as the surviving spouse, On the personal information screen for the deceased individual, you must check the dial next to deceased. After continuing, you will be prompted to enter the taxpayer's date of death and identify yourself as the surviving spouse. On the next page, you must type your name in the "care of" field in order to continue without error.
If you receive an error on this return, please review this section of the program to ensure that you have followed the above steps. It is found under the "My Info" tab once you log into the return.
A surviving spouse can file joint returns for the taxable year in which the death occurred and, if the death occurred before the date that the decedent's return for the immediately preceding year was due, for the taxable year immediately before the year of death.
If anyone other than the surviving spouse is completing the return, you will include your name in the "care of" box and form 1310 will be generated as part of the return after you have reached the Tax Summary page in the program. You will need to answer YES when prompted to file form 1310 and follow the guided interview.
If you receive an error on the return with form 1310, please go back thru these steps in the program to be sure you have filled in all required information in the interview. If you cannot discern what the issue is or get another rejection for the same issue, please contact us thru the customer service options or the IRS at 800-829-1040 for further details.
Once you have made your correction you will then save and continue to the end of your return and resubmit.
We recommend checking the status of your return in 24-48 hours using the Login to My Income Tax Return link to verify that your return has been accepted.