When you fill out the Personal Info section of TurboTax, TurboTax will determine whether or not your situation qualifies for Head of Household. You can double-check your entries in this section to make sure that all of the information has been entered correctly.
To qualify as Head of Household, you must meet the following requirements:
- Pay for more than half of the household expenses
- Be considered unmarried for the tax year, and
- You must have a qualifying child or dependent.
If you meet the requirements below, you will be "considered unmarried" for HoH purposes:
- You must be a U.S. citizen or resident the entire year.
- You must file separate returns.
- You must have paid more than half the cost of keeping up your home during the tax year.
- Your spouse did not live in the home at any time during the last six months of the year (even one night will disqualify you).
- Your home was the main home for more than half the year for your child who is claimed as a dependent. The qualifying person can only be your child, stepchild, or foster child - no other relative can be used.
If you filed your taxes incorrectly, then you can file an amended tax return to change your filing status.
If you want to file an amended tax return after IRS accepted your tax return due to a mistake with your filing status, then you will want to wait until your original tax return is processed by the IRS. If you are receiving a refund, you should wait until the check is issued. Amended returns must be filed by mail.
