Ack! Tax hit now that I'm single

[Kiernan]

So, I finally got around to changing my taxable marital status at work now that my husband passed away (which I should have done when it happened but ... just didn't). And yikes - my paycheck this week was $138 less than usual! Going from "Married" to "Single" put me in the 28% tax bracket instead of 25%. Which means I'll be paying about $3,600 more in taxes for the year - even though I'm a single mother.

For my state, they give you the option of choosing "Single - Head of Household," so my state withholdings weren't impacted at all. But for Federal, you can only be Married, Single, or Married Filing as Single.

Does anyone know if I will get that money "back" when I file my taxes next Spring as Head of Household, in the form of a refund? (Actually, next year I can file as Qualifying Widow; although my husband and I had separated we never finalized the divorce). Or am I just screwed?

I should add - I am meeting with a tax advisor next week to do my 2009 taxes and will definitely ask, but it's making me anxious and I wondered if anyone has any experience or insight. Thanks!

[goldingoddess]

I'm pretty sure that widowers get the same tax benefits as a married couple, or at the least an extra exemption. You should ask a tax advisor or look it up on google.

[dachshundqueen]

If you are a US citizen, did you sign up for SSI survivor's benefits yet for you and the kids?

[mar123]

When you filed your federal taxes, you will still claim your kids, so in that respect you will get some of that money back. But on federal, how many dependants are you claiming? That should make a bigger difference than what your classification is.

[Kiernan]

I do get Social Security survivor benefits for my son, but not for me (I make too much to qualify). Those benefits are considered his income, not mine.

I kept my exemptions the same - I claim 1 exemption, for my son.

I just went through the withholding calculator on the IRS site and it said I should change my status to married - ?? So maybe status is not based on whether you are actually married at that moment in time, but what status you are eligible to claim for the tax year. Maybe I will ask my HR department.

[justmama]

i have no idea but im so sorry to hear about your husband. that had to be hard. dealing with the financial implications after something like that is so unfair.

[JamieCatheryn]

I'm sorry for your loss (mostly of DH but the money too). Use this and see how many withholding deductions you should really be claiming, you may be able to get far more straight to you each paycheck and avoid waiting for a refund. In my family we were even able to file it as exempt and keep getting refunds anyway thanks to credits and deductions. http://www.irs.gov/individuals/artic...=96196,00.html