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New Member
posted Feb 11, 2025 9:04:53 AM

How to change status from Single to Head of Household

As a Small Business Owner, I have used Turbo Tax for 15 Years and it has always had me as Head of Household. For some reason it is classifying me as Single which is greatly impacting my refund.

 

If this because my kids (both 19) which still qualify as dependents are at out of state schools?

I am paying their rents and school expenses not covered by scholarships?

 

Can I not change this?

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2 Best answers
Level 15
Feb 11, 2025 9:07:05 AM

Living away at school is considered to be a "temporary absence"----you should say they lived at home with you.

Level 15
Feb 11, 2025 9:08:14 AM

Students who are "away" at college are considered to still "live at home" for tax purposes as long your home still can be reasonably considered to be their permanent home (their stuff is there, they come back for breaks and summer, etc.)   Answer that they live at home and that will change the dependent interview and should allow you to claim them as the type of dependents that qualifies you for HOH. 

2 Replies
Level 15
Feb 11, 2025 9:07:05 AM

Living away at school is considered to be a "temporary absence"----you should say they lived at home with you.

Level 15
Feb 11, 2025 9:08:14 AM

Students who are "away" at college are considered to still "live at home" for tax purposes as long your home still can be reasonably considered to be their permanent home (their stuff is there, they come back for breaks and summer, etc.)   Answer that they live at home and that will change the dependent interview and should allow you to claim them as the type of dependents that qualifies you for HOH.