Filing status options after the death of a spouse

[Anonymous]

I have a client whose father passed in 2020 and the mother passed in 2021.  I prepared their 2020 return as MFJ, marking his passing.  For the 2021 filing year, ProSeries moved the spouse (mother) to the primary taxpayer spot automatically.  Is the MFJ just for the one year he passed (2020)?

[jeffmcpa2010]

If he was not alive in 2021, I don't think there can be a joint return for 2021.

Your probably going to end up with Single as the filing status for mom in 2021.

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

I agree with Jeff, not alive at all in 2021, no joint return (or 1040 of any flavor) for 2021.