There are three key requirements to qualify as a head of household:

• You are unmarried, recently divorced or legally separated from a spouse.
• You must pay more than half of the household expenses for the year in question.
• You must live with a “qualified dependent” in your home for more than half the year.

When can I claim head of household?

To claim head-of-household status, you must be legally single, pay more than half of household expenses and have either a qualified dependent living with you for at least half the year or a parent for whom you pay more than half their living arrangements.

What happens if you file Head of Household incorrectly?

If you incorrectly claim head-of-household filing status, the ultimate outcome can be as painless as paying some additional tax dollars and interest. The IRS indicates that it will probably take about a month to review your matter after it questions your filing status.

Can a married person claim the Head of Household filing status?

Can a married person claim the Head of Household filing status? The rules for filing with the Head of Household status are designed to help single persons with dependents, but in some cases, married persons can claim the head of household filing status.

How long does it take to file taxes as Head of Household?

The IRS has an interactive filing status tool on its website. It takes about five minutes to complete and it can help you determine if you qualify for head of household status. Most tax preparation software will ask you a series of questions to help you determine your filing status for you as well.

Can a Head of Household file an amended tax return?

IRS Form 886-H-HOH lists the various types of documentation you can use to prove you qualify as head of household. If you haven’t yet received a notice but you know you goofed, you can file an amended tax return using the correct filing status.