To file as Head of Household using TurboTax while legally separated and with a 19-year-old at home, you must have paid more than 50% of household costs, lived apart from your spouse the last 6 months, and claim your child as a dependent (if they are a full-time student, or under 19). In TurboTax, select "Married" then indicate you lived apart and meet dependent criteria to qualify. Since your child is 19 they must be either a full time student or totally/permanently disabled for you to claim them as a dependent. If you are using a TurboTax Desktop Program, you can: Click on "Search" at the top of your TurboTax screen Type "filing status" in the search box Click on the link "Jump to filing status" Your screen will say "We've chosen a filing status for you" Click on the box "Change my filing status" Click on "Head of Household" Select "Continue" The next screens will determine if you are eligible to file as Head of Household Make sure to answer them correctlyClick here for Guide to Filing Taxes as Head of HouseholdClick here for What's a "qualifying person" for Head of Household?Please return to Community if you have any additional information or questions and we would be happy to help.

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borkowskifamily4

Level 1

Question

if I'm legally separated for over a 1 year, 19year old at home. how do I file head of household?

Forum|Forum|3 months ago
April 15, 2026
1 reply
21 views

No text available

TurboTax Online

LindaS5247

Level 14

To file as Head of Household using TurboTax while legally separated and with a 19-year-old at home, you must have paid more than 50% of household costs, lived apart from your spouse the last 6 months, and claim your child as a dependent (if they are a full-time student, or under 19). In TurboTax, select "Married" then indicate you lived apart and meet dependent criteria to qualify.

Since your child is 19 they must be either a full time student or totally/permanently disabled for you to claim them as a dependent.

If you are using a TurboTax Desktop Program, you can:

Click on "Search" at the top of your TurboTax screen
Type "filing status" in the search box
Click on the link "Jump to filing status"
Your screen will say "We've chosen a filing status for you"
Click on the box "Change my filing status"
Click on "Head of Household"
Select "Continue"
The next screens will determine if you are eligible to file as Head of Household
Make sure to answer them correctly