Filing head of household

[geraldinerod88]

where to insert this info/

[DallasM]

Here is some information regarding how/where to enter in your information to file for head of household.

"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 filing status (single or married filing separately) into Personal Info, and then enter your qualifying dependent, TurboTax will offer HOH as your filing status.

If the above information does not help, I have listed out step-by-step directions as to how to enter HOH into TurboTax. Please take a look at the following instructions:

Please follow the steps below to change your filing status to head of household in TurboTax Online:

1. On the toolbar on the top of the screen, towards the left, you should see where it says personal info. Select that tab and it will bring you to the Personal Info Summary. 
2. Then go down to the second section where it shows your marital status and select on edit. Go thru each question until you get to the page that says "Here's the best filing status for you". 
3. This is where you will edit your filing status and once you pick the one best for you (Head of Household) continue answering all the questions until it brings you back to the Personal Info Summary page to ensure it saves properly.

[shrock04]

TurboTax is telling me that I don't qualify to file as head of household. I am married with 2 kids and I am the sole provider of income from one job that I have worked at for 4 years now. I have a filed as head of household for the past 2 years because my wife doesn't hold a job. My taxes are about as simple as it gets, so why is TurboTax saying I don't qualify?

[xmasbaby0]

@shrock04 

You have been filing incorrectly and have been cheating yourself out of a larger standard deduction. You have been paying tax on more of your income than you would have paid if you filed a joint return.  You should be filing a joint return.   You can file a joint return even if one spouse has little or no income.   You should amend those returns as far back as you can---which is to 2018--- and you need to do that by April 18, 2022.

If you were legally married at the end of 2021 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.

Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $25,100 (+$1350 for each spouse 65 or older)  You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit. 

If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return. Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)

 If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901162-married-filing-separately-in-community-property-states

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income.  It is not a refund.  You will see your standard or itemized deduction amount on line 12a of your 2021 Form 1040.

Look at the standard deduction amounts----you have paid more tax by filing as HOH when you could have filed a joint return.

2021 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $12,550  (65 or older + $1700)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $12,550  (65 or older + $1350)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $25,100  (65 or older + $1350 per spouse)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD  $18,800  (65 or older +$1700)

Legally Blind + $1350

2020 Standard Deduction Amounts

Single $12,400   (+ $1650 65 or older)

Married Filing Separate  $12,400   (+ $1300 if 65 or older)

Married Filing Jointly $24,800   (+ $1300 for each spouse 65 or older)

Head of Household $18,650  (+ $1650 for 65 or older)

2019 Standard Deduction Amounts

Single $12,200   (+ $1650 65 or older)

Married Filing Separate  $12,200   (+ $1300 if 65 or older)

Married Filing Jointly $24,400   (+ $1300 for each spouse 65 or older)

Head of Household $18,350  (+ $1650 for 65 or older)

2018 Standard Deductions:

Single   $12,000  (+ $1600 65 or older)

Married Filing Separately    $12,000  (+ $1300 65 or older)

Married Filing Jointly  $24,000  (+ $1300 each spouse 65 or older)

Head of Household  $18,000  (+ $1600 65 or older)

Look at line 8 of your Form 1040 to see your standard or itemized deductions

[shrock04]

Thank you, I'll have to look into this. I was always told to file under head of household. I was unaware of the benefits from filing jointly because anyone I asked said to not do so. (Meaning parents, colleges, and close friends probably should have gone to a tax expert with these questions)

[xmasbaby0]

@shrock04 For 2018, 2019, and 2020 you paid tax on $18,200 more than you would have paid if you had filed as married filing joint instead of filing Head of Household.

Sounds like you did not understand what HOH really means----it is not  "Fred Flintstone----I am the breadwinner" that determines HOH.   HOH means you are claiming to be living as unmarried and supporting qualified dependents.

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 filing status (single or married filing separately) into MyInfo, and then enter your qualifying dependent, TurboTax will offer HOH as your filing status.

[shrock04]

Thank you! I just updated everything and it jumped up my Federal Return by 4 grand.

I did not expect that 

[xmasbaby0]

@shrock04 Woohoo!    Amend the previous years to get refunds.   It takes the IRS quite awhile to process amended returns but in your case it will be worth the wait.  

Select your tax year for amending instructions:

• 2020
• 2019
• 2018

[shrock04]

I will definitely be taking the time to do that!

Thanks so much for the information, that's very much appreciated.

[xmasbaby0]

@shrock04 It makes my night to know I helped!