If your spouse died in 2001, you can use married filing jointly as your filing status for 2001 if you otherwise qualify to use that status. The year of death is the last year for which you can file jointly with your described spouse. You may be eligible to use qualifying widow(er) with dependent child as your filing status for two years following the year of death of your spouse. For example, if your spouse died in 2000, and you have not remarried, you may be able to use this filing status for 2001 and 2002. This filing status entitles you to use joint return tax rates and the highest standard deduction amount (if you do not itemize deductions). This status does not entitle you to file a joint return.