What criteria must be met for a taxpayer to use the qualifying widow(er) filing status?

The qualifying widow(er) filing status is designed to provide tax relief for surviving spouses with dependent children. To qualify for this status, a taxpayer must not have remarried during the year and must also have paid more than half the cost of maintaining a home for themselves and their dependent child.

This provision recognizes the financial challenges faced by a recently widowed person, particularly in supporting and caring for a dependent child. By allowing this filing status, the IRS enables eligible taxpayers to benefit from a tax rate similar to that of married couples filing jointly, which can be substantially lower than the rates applicable to single filers.

The criteria outlined in the other options do not align with the requirements for qualifying widow(er) status. For instance, there is no stipulation regarding the timeframe of five years since the spouse's death, nor is it necessary to have resided in the same state for a certain number of years or to have remarried. Therefore, the correct option concerning the eligibility for the qualifying widow(er) filing status centers on the maintenance and support of a dependent child in the household.