qualify widower grandchild?

[michele]

I though a grandchild a taxpayer is raising qualifies as claiming qualified widower. The program is giving me an error as if the grandchild does not qualify.

thanks

Michele

[pamdory]

The instructions say "...a child or stepchild (not a foster child) whom you could claim as a dependent...."  but they don't use the usual Qualifying Child typically used for purposes of dependency & filing status.  I don't think a grandchild meets the requirement.  

[George4Tacks]

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-news/fs-05-07.pdf

I think Head of Household and so do Turbo Tax https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/can-t-i-change-filing-status-to-qualifying-widow/....

IF they ever adopted the child, then they could qualify for using "child" and Qual Surv Spouse.

[The-Tax-Lady]

A grandchild can be a qualifying child, if all the Dependency tests are met, for the QSS filing status.

The QSS status is only available for 2 years after the year the spouse dies and not in the year of the spouse's death. Could that be what's stopping the software?

[TaxGuyBill]

As was noted above, the requirement for Surviving Spouse involved a "son, stepson, daughter, or stepdaughter".  It is not for any Qualifying Child.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/2