In community property states, surviving spouses receive a step-up in basis on both halves of community property.
To qualify for the Qualifying Surviving Spouse filing status, you must meet these four requirements: You qualified for Married Filing Jointly with your spouse for the year they died. You didn't remarry. You have a child, stepchild, or adopted child you claim as your tax dependent.
In Arizona, your surviving spouse will automatically inherit your half of the community property if you have no descendants or if you have descendants—children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren—resulting only from your relationship with your surviving spouse.
Step 1: Establish Basis The surviving spouse receives a step-up in basis when the first spouse dies. However, the value of that adjustment depends on whether they live in a community property state. In a community property state, the surviving spouse receives a full step-up in basis.
A unique basis step-up rule applies to married couples who own community property. It provides that any asset held as community property will receive a 100% basis step-up at the first spouse's death, even though half of the community property isn't owned by the deceased spouse.
Surviving spouse, at full retirement age or older, generally gets 100% of the worker's basic benefit amount. Surviving spouse, age 60 or older, but under full retirement age, gets between 71% and 99% of the worker's basic benefit amount.
If you have a spouse but no descendants, your spouse will receive your assets. For those who are married and have descendants with their spouse, the spouse will inherit everything. For people with a spouse and children from another partnership, the spouse will inherit half of all separate property.
Is an Inheritance Separate or Marital Property? In most states, an inheritance is considered separate property, whether you receive an inheritance before, during or after your marriage. Your spouse is not entitled to use or spend your separate property.
Taxpayers can claim the qualifying surviving spouse filing status if all of the following conditions are met: You were entitled to file a joint return with your spouse for the year your spouse died. Have had a spouse who died in either of the two prior years. You must not remarry before the end of the current tax year.
If you have a spouse but no descendants, your spouse will receive your assets. For those who are married and have descendants with their spouse, the spouse will inherit everything. For people with a spouse and children from another partnership, the spouse will inherit half of all separate property.