Harpreet, whose husband died in December 2017, maintains a household in which her dependent mother lives. Which (if any) of the following is her filing status for the tax year 2018? (Note: Harpreet is the executor of her husband's estate.)
A) Single
B) Married, filing separately
C) Surviving spouse
D) Head of household
E) Married, filing jointly

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Harpreet can file as head of household because she maintained a household for a dependent (her mother) for more than half the year and her spouse died during the year. Filing as "surviving spouse" would only be an option if Harpreet had a dependent child in addition to her mother.

Harpreet, Whose Husband Died in December 2017, Maintains a Household