Final answer:
Tedra may qualify for the 'qualifying widow(er)' filing status on her tax return after her husband's death, which provides the benefits of joint tax rates and the highest standard deduction if she meets certain conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the filing status that Tedra qualifies for on her tax return, following the death of her husband Fred. The filing status is a critical component of tax filing, as it determines one's tax rate and eligibility for certain deductions and credits. If Fred passed away during the tax year and Tedra has not remarried by the end of the year, she may be eligible to file as a qualifying widow(er) with dependent children for two years following the year of her spouse's death. This status allows her to use the joint tax rates and highest standard deduction amount, as long as she meets other qualifying conditions such as providing over half the cost of maintaining a home for her dependent children.
To be considered for this status, Tedra must also have been eligible to file a joint return with Fred the year he died, even if they didn't actually do so. Additionally, Tedra must continue to remain unmarried, the children must be her dependents, and she must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien for the entire tax year.