topic I have been filing as single head of household with 1 dependent. It says I don't qualify, what has changed? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

I have been filing as single head of household with 1 dependent. It says I don't qualify, what has changed?

bake1206 — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:31:16 GMT

Husband passed in 2019 and I have a dependent son. Have always filed as head of household.

Re: I have been filing as single head of household with 1 dependent. It says I don't qualify, what has changed?

xmasbaby0 — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:32:55 GMT

Is your son still a qualifying dependent?

Am I Head of Household?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-filing-status/qualify-head-household-2021/L0NxUtVc2_US_en_US?uid=m5x19jkx

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.

Re: I have been filing as single head of household with 1 dependent. It says I don't qualify, wha...

JohnB5677 — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:45:08 GMT

Is your son older than 19, and did he have earned income.

These are both conditions that may disqualify him from being a dependent.

Please check the IRS General rules for Dependents

Re: I have been filing as single head of household with 1 dependent. It says I don't qualify, what has changed?

Kelleykaela85 — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 16:24:18 GMT

I'm having the same problem. Always HOH without issue and suddenly its not. My dependent is a minor without a job. I pay more than half of household expenses.

Re: I have been filing as single head of household with 1 dependent. It says I don't qualify, what has changed?

xmasbaby0 — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 16:28:09 GMT

Make sure you have entered your child as a dependent in My Info, and that you have entered the child's Social Security number. Careful— do not say that your child’s SSN is not valid for employment. If your child was born in 2025 make sure you said he lived with you the whole year. There is an oddly worded question that asks if the child paid over half their own support. Say NO to that question.

If your dependent was a full-time college student, make sure you were careful on the MY INFO screen for “Uncommon situations” and that you indicated there that they were a student.

@Kelleykaela85