topic head of household in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

head of household

Destinyrawrs — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:29:47 GMT

Scenario-

two people using the same address on their tax return, each have their OWN dependent, not a shared child. They are not married. Both single. They just share the address.
can they both claim head of household on their returns?

Re: head of household

Critter-3 — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 22:42:27 GMT

NO ... to use the HOH filing status you must pay more than 1/2 of the cost to keep up the home ... only one of you can pay more than 1/2. The other pays less then 1/2 or you each pay 1/2 and no one pays more.

Re: head of household

Destinyrawrs — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 22:43:50 GMT

I thought so, Thankyou!

Re: head of household

Critter-3 — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 23:25:18 GMT

Just a note ... single and HOH both get you the same kid credits either way.

Re: head of household

Hal_Al — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 23:33:31 GMT

Maybe, but probably not.

Room mate HoH Yes, If you and your roommate can show that you each are maintaining separate households within the same structure. If you paid over one-half of the expenses attributable to yourself and your dependent children and She also paid over one-half the expenses attributable to herself and her dependent children. Even if you split the main costs like rent and utilities 50/50, but do separate food bills, and separate phone lines, you probably meet the requirement for "maintaining separate households".

Theoretically yes; but from a practical application, no. The rule is that you must have paid more than half the household expenses. If you paid half, the other person must have paid less than half.
If your situation closely matches the IRS "Acknowledged Significant Advice" at the link below, you probably qualify. http://www.unclefed.com/ForTaxProfs/irs-wd/1998/1998-041.pdf

It's a tough standard to meet and most living arrangements will not qualify. If it's family and not unrelated people, like 2 single moms sharing a residence, it's even more unlikely. If you try it, be prepared to prove it with detailed accounting records of household expenses. A co-habiting couple would also unlikely meet the standard.

https://www.thebalance.com/two-heads-of-household-3193038