If filing married but filing selerately can we both claim HOH?

[nevaeh67]

My husband as of October 31 2016, owes on school loans. Can one of us file HOH, if we file separately?

[Opus 17]

Only if you have lived in separate homes since July 1 2016.  HOH is typically used for single parents and marital separations.  It can sometimes also cover separations due to military service or incarceration, but it never applies to spouses living together.

[Phillip1]

In addition to the information that Opus 17 has provided, another option in your situation could be to file a joint tax return and include an Injured spouse claim.

This would allow you to avoid filing as married filing separate, and it would allow you to preserve the portion of the refund that belongs to you (the injured spouse).

To file an injured spouse claim, follow the instructions on this TurboTax webpage.