HOH

[Craigr9]

Can I file hoh if my girlfriend has cancer w some disability income?

[CatinaT1]

You can qualify for Head of Household if you:

1. Were unmarried as of December 31 this year and
2. Paid more than half the cost to run your (or a qualifying parent's) home this year(rent, mortgage, utilities, etc.) and
3. Supported a qualifying person.

If you were still legally married as of December 31 and a child lives with you, you can qualify for Head of Household under a slightly different set of rules. Read more

After you answer all the questions about yourself and your dependents at the beginning of your return, we'll let you know if your situation qualifies for Head of Household.

You can also revisit these questions by selecting My Info (online) or Personal Info (software), and then selecting Edit next to your name or your dependent's.

[Craigr9 · Accepted solution]

I appreciate your response Catina.  Based on the info you provided, I’m covered w the first 2 requirements but unclear about the “qualifying person”.  It seems that the only way to qualify for HOH is if my girlfriend (whom I paid for all her living expenses) is claimed as a dependent, which I’m not sure if that’s possible.  Do I understand that correctly? 

Thanks, Craig

[VolvoGirl]

Your girlfriend is not a qualifying person for Head of Household.  Has to be your own child.

Who is a qualifying person for Head of Household

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/family/help/what-is-a-qualifying-person-for-head-of-household/00/2...

[VictoriaD75]

It depends. If she lived with you for all of 2019, you provide more than half of her support, and she had income of less than $4,200, it is possible that you can claim her as a dependent (qualifying relative). 

Rules for Claiming a Dependent

[pk]

@Craigr9 

cc.  @VictoriaD75  , @CatinaT1 , @VolvoGirl 

----- that answer does not apply here --- an unrelated person living in your household for the whole year and for whom you provided more than half of support is a "dependent ' ONLY for purposes of exemption --- not a qualifying person for any credits and/or  filing status as HOH.   I agree with @VolvoGirl .

Suggest using this from the IRS --- it is straight  from the horse's mouth

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/what-is-my-filing-status