In order to file as HOH, you have to claim a qualified dependent who is related to you. If you are not the bio-dad of the children and not legally married to their mother, then the children cannot be qualified dependents for you to use HOH filing status.
If all of them lived with you for the whole year in 2023, at best you can get the $500 credit for other dependents for them. You do not get child tax credit, earned income credit or childcare credit for them. You cannot claim your GF if she had more than $4700 of income not counting Social Security.
Am I Head of Household?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894553-do-i-qualify-for-head-of-household
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2900097-what-is-a-qualifying-person-for-head-of-household
If you qualify as Head of Household, when you enter your marital status (single or married filing separately) into MyInfo, and then enter your qualifying dependent, TurboTax will offer HOH as your filing status.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4499708-what-is-the-500-credit-for-other-dependents-family-tax-cre...
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
