IRS Procedures > Signing the Return

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Frequently Asked Tax Questions

IRS Procedures - Signing the Return

My husband passed away last year, and I will be filing a joint return. Are there any special return notations required to indicate my husband is deceased?

Rev. date: 08/17/2012

Deceased

Joint Return

Married Filing Jointly (MFJ)

If you are a surviving spouse filing a joint return and no personal representative has been appointed, you should sign the return and write in the signature area, "filing as surviving spouse."

The final return should have the word "Deceased," the decedent's name, and the date of death written across the top of the return.

Additional Information

Tax Topic 356, Decedents

Previous Page | Table of Contents | Top of Page | Next Page Right Arrow

Frequently Asked Tax Questions

IRS Procedures - Signing the Return

My husband passed away last year, and I will be filing a joint return. Are there any special return notations required to indicate my husband is deceased?