Federal Tax Year 2010 Only: Filing status Qualifying Widow(er) with Dependent Child

You are eligible for the Qualifying Widow(er) With Dependent Child filing status in tax year 2010 if all of the following are true:

• Your spouse died in 2008 or 2009 and you did not remarry on or between the date of death and December 31, 2010; and
• You were eligible to file a joint return with your spouse in the year your spouse died (whether you actually did so or not); and
• You have at least one child or stepchild (not foster child) for whom you can claim an exemption; and
• The child(ren) lived in your home all year except for temporary absences; and
• You paid for more than half the cost of keeping up a home during 2010.

Before proceeding with the workaround below, make sure you've entered your child(ren) as dependent(s). Then do this:

1. Click the Personal Info tab and click Continue until you reach the Your Personal Info screen.
2. Scroll down to the section About your Dependents and click the Edit button.
3. Click the Edit button for the first child.
4. On the next screen, select All Year from the Time Lived With You drop-down list. (It should already be selected, but select it again.) Then click Continue.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for any additional children. When finished, click Done.

You should be back at the Your Personal Info screen.

1. This time, click the Edit button next to the Your Filing Status section.
2. Select the Change my filing status checkbox, and then select Qualifying Widow(er). Click Continue.
3. Select Yes (lived with me all year), then click Continue.
4. Select Yes (I could file jointly), then click Continue.
5. The Your Personal Info screen should now display Widow(er) with dependent child filing status.