Can I change my status to Head of Household instead of Single so I can take advantage of being able to deduct my mortgage interest by not taking the standard deduction?

You may itemize your deduction, or take the Standard Deduction, whether you file Single or Head Of Household. 

 

Neither of the filing statuses will affect your ability to itemize or take the standard deduction. Head of Household has a higher Standard Deduction, $18,350, than the Single filing status of $12,200.

 

There are various rules for claiming the Head of Household filing status:

 

• Pay for more than half of the household expenses
• Be considered unmarried for the tax year, and
• You must have a qualifying child or dependent.

 

To be "considered unmarried" for the tax year you must file a separate tax return you must:

• File a separate Tax Return.
• You paid more than half of the cost of keeping up your home for the tax year.
• Your spouse (if you have one) did not live in the home during the last 6 months of the tax year.
• Your home was the main home for your child, stepchild, or foster child for at least 6 months of the tax year and you claim the child as a dependent.

 

You can learn more about the Head of Household filing status here. You can learn more about itemizing deductions here.