I haven't seen my ex in 2 years, turbotax put me down as HOH. Should I file Injured spouse?

[kella7074-gmail-]

My ex left me and my 3 kids over 2 years ago. Last year I was able to file separate and get my taxes super quick. This year Turbotax put me as HOH instead of separate and my ex owes child support on other kids from a previous marriage. I put in the questions that my ex hasn't lived w me at all in 2023 and that they aren't filing and didn't work. Do I need to file injured spouse ASAP? Ik this will delay my taxes til August but I need them now! I tried to exclude my ex from my taxes but TurboTax won't let me!

[RobertB4444]

If you didn't live with your spouse for all of 2023 then you are legally allowed to file as Head of Household even though you are still legally married.  Head of Household is a better filing status and will increase your refund.  This rule is designed exactly for people in your position.  Go ahead and file.

@kella7074-gmail- 

[VolvoGirl]

When did he leave you?  You might have qualified for Head of Household last year too.  Are you divorced yet?  You don't need to file injured spouse with HOH status.  Where is your spouse showing up on your tax return?  You might need to enter his name and ssn under My Info but that's only so the IRS can check if he files the same deduction as you....Standard Deduction or Itemized.  

[kella7074-gmail-]

Jan 2022, not divorced yet (not from lack of trying), showing up in "My Info".