If I'm a renter, do I answer "yes" to the question "did you pay more than half the cost to keep up your home in 2023?"

[xmasbaby0]

You can be a renter and HOH.......but do you have a qualified dependent?

Am I Head of Household?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894553-do-i-qualify-for-head-of-household

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2900097-what-is-a-qualifying-person-for-head-of-household

If you qualify as Head of Household, when you enter your marital status (single or married filing separately) into MyInfo, and then enter your qualifying dependent, TurboTax will offer HOH as your filing status.

[JulieS · Accepted solution]

Yes, if you pay more than half of the household expenses, it doesn't matter whether you rent or own. 

The purpose of this question is to find out if you are the main source of support for your household. 

[Opus 17 · Accepted solution]

Your household expenses are for the roof over your head, no matter if rent or mortgage; plus food, utilities, insurance, repairs and maintenance.  (Expenses for clothing, medical care, travel and entertainment are personal expenses.)

For example, if you are a single parent and you pay all your own rent, food, and utilities, then you pay more than half the costs to keep the home, even if the other parent pays for your child's medical insurance and school fees.  However, if you receive child support and you use it to pay your rent, you might not pay more than half your housing costs.