Divorced in 2025. Want to file as single, but I have two adult dependents in college.

[omahablue]

I was divorced in December 2025. I have three children:

• 19 - in college full time
• 20 - in college full time
• 16 - 50/50 custody with my ex.

My ex is taking the tax credit for my youngest, who is a minor. We agreed that I could then claim the two older children, which would give me a $500 credit for each ($1,000 total). She is also taking the "head of household" filing status, which I believe means I must file as single. Is this correct? 

If I must file as single (because ex is filing HOH), how do I change my filing status to single? Turbotax won't let me!!!

I go into "My Info" and there is no place where I can change filing status. It asks If I am divorced, I said yes. Then it auto-selected head of household. I didn't have a choice and can't change it.

[omahablue]

Also, I did not list my minor child on my return, only the two older children. My ex is not planning to list the two older children, only the minor. 

[LaShaunA3 · Accepted solution]

You may qualify for Head of Household. If TurboTax selected Head of Household automatically, it means your entries indicate you meet the basic requirements.

Because your divorce was finalized in December 2025, you are considered unmarried for the 2025 tax year. You aren't required to file Single just because your ex is filing Head of Household. Each of you qualifies separately based on your own household information. 

If you paid more than half the cost of keeping up your home and a qualifying child (including a full-time college student under 24) lived with you more than half the year, you may qualify for this status. 

For more information, see

Publication 501 (2025), Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information