What Is Qualifying Surviving Spouse Status?

Qualifying Surviving Spouse is a filing status available for two years after your spouse dies, as long as you have a qualifying child and haven't remarried. It gives you the same tax rates and standard deduction as Married Filing Jointly. In the year your spouse dies, you can still file jointly. After the two-year period, you'd typically switch to Head of Household or Single. This status can save a surviving parent significant money on taxes.