File Head of Household. You meet the criteria. You live apart from your spouse and you have the dependent children living with you. HOH has a higher standard deduction, so more of your income is "tax free" with that filing status. And...no, you do not file injured spouse. You just file as HOH and let your deadbeat spouse twist in the wind. You do not enter anything about him or his SSN on your tax return.
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.
Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income. The standard deduction makes some of your income “tax free.” It is not a refund. You will see your standard or itemized deduction amount on line 12 of your 2023 Form 1040.
2023 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS
SINGLE $13,850 (65 or older/legally blind + $1850)
MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $13,850 (65 or older/legally blind + $1500)
MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $27,700 (65+/legally blind) ) + $1500 per spouse
HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $20,800 (65 or older/blind) + $1850)
**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.**
