Retirement Credit for Qualifying widower

[Janitor Bob]

Please let me know if I am really reading this correctly...It does not seem fair....Form 8880 (Credit for retirement savings contributions). The credit is allowed if income on 1040 Line 38 is less than $26,500.....$39,750 for head of household, and $53,000 married filing jointly....What about qualifying widower with dependent child?

I personally fall into this status this year and it seems that I should get this credit (as my income was less than $39,750), but since I am not filing head of household, and my income is greater than $26,500....I am not getting it?

If I change status to HOH, I get $200.00 retirement credit, but lose the better standard deduction for Qualifying widower....It seems to me that I should get the benefit of both....someone please explain so I will feel better.

[kcjenkins]

Sorry, JB, but you have to choose which status nets out the best, because you can not have it both ways. If you are filing as HOH you get one tax benefit, if you file QW you get a different benefit, and you get to pick whichever one benefits you the most.

[Janitor Bob]

Sorry, JB, but you have to choose which status nets out the best, because you can not have it both ways. If you are filing as HOH you get one tax benefit, if you file QW you get a different benefit, and you get to pick whichever one benefits you the most.

but I want BOTH, darn it! Thanks for confirming.....I have dealt with very few qualifying widow(er) situations (fortunately), so my personal taxes are slightly different this year.