Final answer:
A 'Qualifying Widow(er)' is a widow(er) with dependent children who can use the joint tax return rates. This status allows for the use of married filing jointly tax brackets post the spouse's death. The tax system is progressive, implying different rates for different income levels and filing statuses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term “Qualifying Widow(er)” as defined by the IRS refers to B. A widow(er) with dependent children who can use the joint tax return rates. This filing status allows the surviving spouse to benefit from the same tax rates as those who are married filing jointly.
It is important to note that this status is only available to a widow(er) for a limited time following the death of their spouse and there are certain conditions to be met, including having a dependent child.
From the information provided, it can be inferred that the widow of a qualified worker will receive monthly benefits at age 65, and in specific cases, an aged dependent parent may also receive benefits. Additionally, the mention of tax brackets by income highlights the progressive nature of the tax system, where the rate at which income is taxed increases as the level of income grows.
This concept is applied differently across various filing statuses, including single filers, households filing jointly, and qualifying widow(er)s, indicating that the tax rates vary for each category.