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Entering information for a deceased spouse

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📊 Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Decide whether you should use Name Line 2

Use Name Line 2 only in the situations described below.

Step 2: If the name is entered as “in care of”

• Enter the percent sign (%) followed by a space and the “in care of” name.
• Do not use any other punctuation in the entry.

Step 3: If the taxpayer/spouse died (and you’re filing the return for that year or the current year)

• Enter the percent sign (%) followed by a space, then the name of the person filing the return for the deceased person.
• This may be the surviving spouse (if filing married filing jointly) or a personal representative (such as an executor, administrator, or anyone in charge of the deceased taxpayer’s property).

Step 4: If you are using Form 1310

• The “Name of Claimant” must match exactly the name entered on Name Line 2 (but without the percent-sign and space).
• Do not enter a percent sign (%) on Form 1310.

Step 5: If none of the situations apply

Leave Name Line 2 blank.

Step 6: Check the character limit

Maximum number of characters for this line is 35, including spaces.

Tags: federal,form