Married but seperated for 2 years. We lived apart for 2 years. Am I wrong for filing "single/HOH"? My children lived with me as well.

[jjem9176]

We lived apart for about 2 and a half years. I filed as single/head of household with my children as dependents.

[ChristinaS · Accepted solution]

No, Head of Household is a permissible filing status for certain married people who have lived apart for the last 6 months of the year. As long as you are "keeping up a home" for these children, you are not doing anything wrong.

You can also verify this with the IRS using their nifty tool below.

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

 https://www.irs.gov/publications/p501/ar02.html#en_US_2016_publink1000220775

Considered unmarried for HOH: Your spouse didn't live in your home during the last 6 months of the tax year. Your spouse is considered to live in your home even if he or she is temporarily absent due to special circumstances.

[BYENZER]

Will your spouses debt still fallow you when you file hoh while being seperated? 

[macuser_22]

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@BYENZER wrote:

Will your spouses debt still fallow you when you file hoh while being seperated? 

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No. A spouses debt can only be taken for a joint tax return and even then you can file an injured spouse (8379) form to protect your portion of any refund that is based on your income.