I was married in may 2016 and divorced jan 12th 2017. can i file as single?

[sarabethbodeep]

i petitioned for divorce in dec 2016 and we were living in separate households.

[IreneS · Accepted solution]

Maybe - Only if you lived separately from July 1, 2016 on.

 A married taxpayer whose spouse did not live in the home during the last six months of the tax year can be "considered unmarried" for tax purposes.  If this is the case, you will be able to use a filing status of "Single" or "Head of Household" (if you have dependents) which are usually more beneficial tax wise.

[Edited | 4/8/2020 |  8:59am PDT]