The value of the life insurance policy benefits is generally included in determining whether any federal estate tax is payable. If the death occurred before a return was filed and taxes paid for the prior to death year, and a return was required, a return must be filed and taxes paid on or before the date it is due. These returns may be signed by the deceased's personal representative, or surviving spouse. Yes, if you were otherwise entitled to file a joint return for the year, and have not remarried as of December 31st of that year. The tax return may be signed by you as the surviving spouse or it may be signed by both the personal representative and the surviving spouse.
Benefits are often available for surviving family members.
The most common are Social Security survivor's benefits which depends on whether the deceased parent or spouse worked long enough to be covered by Social Security. There are two kinds of benefits. First is the lump sum death benefit. This death benefit is available to the surviving spouse or to a surviving child under the age of 18. The second benefit is the monthly survivor benefit.