Can You File as Head of Household?

The Head of Household filing status can lead to a lower taxable income and greater potential refund than the Single filing status. However, you must meet certain criteria. To file as Head of Household:

● you must have a qualifying child or dependent,

● you must have paid for more than half of the household expenses for the year, and

● you must be considered unmarried for the tax year (i.e. you are single or in some stage of a separation).

Married taxpayers are not eligible to claim Head of Household. Married Filing Jointly is usually more advantageous than filing Head of Household anyway.