How should a taxpayer sign a prior year's tax return (2021 Form 1040) if their spouse passed away last year (2023)?

[CR4]

"How should a taxpayer sign a prior year's tax return (2021 Form 1040) if their spouse passed away last year (2023)?

I think that for the 2022 tax year, the taxpayer can simply sign the return and indicate that they are "filing as surviving spouse".

However, what is the correct way to sign a 2021 tax return in this situation?"

[George4Tacks · Accepted solution]

The same way - the taxpayer can simply sign the return and indicate that they are "filing as surviving spouse"

This would be true for any communications in the future regarding MFJ taxes from the past.

[CR4]

Thank you so much! @George4Tacks