Can I file as Head of Household?

Created by Shubha Bisht, Modified on Wed, 24 Jan at 10:41 AM by Shubha Bisht

In order to file as Head of Household, the following things need to be true:

You were unmarried or considered unmarried on the last day of the year.
You paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home for the year.
A qualifying person lived with you in the home for more than half of the year. If the person is a dependent adult, they don’t have to live with you.

What is considered unmarried according to the IRS?

You are considered unmarried on the last day of the tax year if all the following are true:

You filed a separate return like married filing separately, single or head of household
Your spouse didn’t live with you the last 6 months of the tax year. Temporary absences are not considered in this requirement.

What’s a qualifying person for the Head of Household status?

If the person is your qualifying child (such as a son, daughter, or grandchild who lived with you more than half the year and meets certain other tests) and the child is single.
If the person is your qualifying child (such as a son, daughter, or grandchild who lived with you more than half the year and meets certain other tests) and the child is married and you can claim the child as a dependent.
If the person is your qualifying relative who is your father or mother and you can claim your parent as a dependent.
If the person is your qualifying relative other than your father or mother (such as a grandparent, brother, or sister who meets certain tests) and your relative lived with you more than half the year, and your relative is related to you in one of the ways listed under Relatives who don't have to live with you, later, and you can claim your relative as a dependent.

More information can be found under Table 4 of Publication 501.

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