Tax status for 2023

[MelissaV100]

I’m filing final divorce docs today but am not sure I’ll be officially divorced by year end (have to wait for the judge to sign off). If not signed off in 2023, what will my tax status be?

[mfields2]

If you don't complete your divorce by the end of the year, you have to choose either married filing jointly or married filing separately (with one exception - mentioned below).  Unfortunately, this can be highly disadvantageous, as you might be aware of - especially if you have an uncooperative ex that does not want to file a joint tax return and you are left with filing married filing separately.

If you had a minor child living at home, and you were separated the last 6 months of the year (by "separated" I mean also NOT LIVING IN THE SAME HOME) and you paid the living expenses for the house you lived in, you can claim "Head of Household" status.   You will see the questions populate in TurboTax to guide you to that filing status, if you meet the criteria.