What is the Head of Household Filing Status and Do I Qualify? You are a Head of Household if you are single and have a qualifying dependent. If you do not have a qualifying dependent, you are considered Single on your tax return. Who Can Qualify As Head of Household? Single parents and other unmarried people with dependents can be Heads of Household. Why Should I Consider Filing As Head of Household Filing Status Instead of Single? Unlike the Single filing status, filing as Head of Household generally result in lower tax rates and higher standard deductions. How Do I Find Out If I Qualify as Head of Household? Many single parents might qualify for the Head of Household Tax Return Filing Status on their Federal Tax Return. Alternatively, if you paid more than 50% as a Single Person, the cost of keeping up a home for the Tax Year, you might qualify for the Filing Status Find out if you qualify as Head of Household now. Start Head of Household Were you married as of 12/31 of the tax year? Yes No Did you pay more than 50% of the cost of keeping up a home for the entire year? Yes No So far, so good! Now, let's see if you have a Qualifying Person. Answer the remaining questions about your potential Qualifying Person. Is this person your IRS Qualifying Child? Yes No Not Sure You're not sure if this person is a Qualifying Child? No problem, let's find out right now. If you are the taxpayer, is this person your: Son Daughter Neither Grandson Granddaughter Neither Stepson Stepdaughter Neither Brother Sister Neither Half Brother Half Sister Neither Stepbrother Stepsister Neither Adopted Child Foster Child Neither Is this person a descendant of any of the above? Yes No Did the person live with you for more than 6 months of the tax year? Yes No Was the person under age 19 by Dec. 31 of the tax year? Yes No Was the person under age 24 and a full time student? Yes No Is the person permanently and totally disabled? Yes No Did the person provide more than 50% of their own support during the tax year? Yes No Are you, the taxpayer, the dependent of another taxpayer? Yes No Is the person married, and did they file a joint return with their spouse? Yes No Is the person (and their spouse) required to file a tax return? Yes No If the person and their spouse file separate returns, would they owe taxes? Yes No Did the person and their spouse file a return only to claim a refund? Yes No Is the person a U.S. Citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico? Yes No Based on your answers, this person is not a Qualifying Child. You cannot claim them as a dependent unless they are a Qualifying Relative. Based on your answers, you can claim this person as a dependent. They are considered a Qualifying Child. If you are the taxpayer, is this person your IRS Qualifying Child? Yes No Is the person single? Yes No Is the person married AND can you claim them as a tax exemption? Yes No Is the person your mother or father AND can you claim them as a tax exemption? Yes No Is this person a Qualifying Relative AND are they related to you? Yes No Not Sure You're not sure if this person is a Qualifying Relative? No problem, let's find out right now. If you are the taxpayer, is this person: Child Step-child Descendant of these None Foster Child Descendant of Foster Child Neither Sibling Half-Sibling Step-Sibling None Parent Grandparent Direct Ancestor of these None Stepmother Stepfather Neither Sibling's Son/Daughter Half-Sibling's Son/Daughter Neither Your Aunt Your Uncle Neither Son-in-law Daughter-in-law Neither Mother-in-law Father-in-law Neither Brother-in-law Sister-in-law Neither Did this person live with you for the ENTIRE tax year? Yes No Did the person have a gross income of less than $4,050? Yes No Did you provide over 50% (more than half) of the total support for the person? Yes No Is this person a Qualifying Child for you or anyone else? TIP: If the person is your girlfriend or boyfriend's child, and the child lived with you ALL year, and the child's parent is NOT required to file a tax return, answer "No" to this question. Yes No Are you, the taxpayer, a dependent of another taxpayer? Yes No Is the person married, and did they file a joint return with their spouse? Yes No Is the person (and their spouse, if married) required to file a return? Yes No If the person and their spouse filed separate returns, would they owe taxes? Yes No Did the person and their spouse file a return only to claim a refund? Yes No Is the person a U.S. Citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico Yes No Based on your answers, this person is not a Qualifying Relative. You cannot claim them as a dependent. Based on your answers, you can claim this person as a dependent. They are considered a Qualifying Relative. Is this person a Qualifying Relative AND are they related to you? Yes No No. According to your answers, you do not qualify as Head of Household. Please use our STATucator to help you determine the correct filing status for you. Email me my HOHucator results now Start Over Yes. Based on your answers, you do qualify for Head of Household status. Email me my HOHucator results now Start Over Start Your Tax Return Now Registered Users: Sign in Here Contact a Taxpert with your Tax Questions × Enter your email and receive your HOHucator results. Yes, email me my HOHucator results Got Tax Questions? Ask Them Now!