Can I claim Head of Household if bills are paid from a joint account

[bearcubsmama]

My Spouse and I did not live in the same house for the entire year and I am claiming the children. I pay the bills with a joint account. 

[DanielV01]

The question is where the children live.  If they lived with you for more than 6 months, and you lived apart for the last 6 months of the year, then you can claim HOH.  If they did not live with you, only your spouse may claim HOH.  If you lived with your spouse any time after July 1, neither of you may claim HOH.  Expenses paid is not the issue, residency is.

If you are not the custodial parent, you must have form 8332 signed by your spouse to claim the children.

[bearcubsmama]

They lived with me the entire year, they visit him every other weekend.

[DanielV01]

You may claim Head of Household.  The joint account is irrelevant.  If you paid at least half of the expenses for your household, you may claim Head of Household.

[bearcubsmama]

So the account being Joint with their father doesn't matter? Thank you.

[SweetieJean]

Where did the money in the Joint account come from?

[bearcubsmama]

We have had the account for years..  so it's both of our income and such.

[DanielV01]

If you provided the support the account doesn't matter.  It's where the money came from.