No. To file HOH you must have lived apart for all of the last half of the year (from July 2025 through December 31). If you lived together for even part of that time, HOH is not allowed.
Generally, joint filing (married filing jointly) is almost always better for married couples, and it is allowed even if one spouse does not work, and even if the children do not biologically belong to both parents. A step-parent has the same right to claim a dependent as a biological parent.) There are a number of tax benefits that are reduced or disallowed for MFS. If you have some reason to keep your finances legally separate and file MFS, then you take the tax losses along with that decision.
