The TurboTax program is incorrectly not allowing people to file as Head of Household because they are not claiming a dependent. The IRS tool proves this issue.

Are you the custodial parent of a child and are allowing the other parent to claim the child by revoking your claim to the child using Form 8332, Release/Revocation of Release of Claim to Exemption for Child by Custodial Parent?

There is one way------if you are the custodial parent of a child and the other parent is claiming the child for the child tax credit, the CUSTODIAL parent can still file Head of Household, get earned income credit and get the childcare credit.  Otherwise, you cannot file HOH unless you have a qualified dependent.  

 

Are you the custodial parent?  Do you have an agreement with the other parent to allow the other parent to claim them--due to divorce or that you live apart and share custody?  Did one of you sign a Form 8332?

 

If there is a signed 8332 then the custodial parent retains the right to file as Head of Household, get earned income credit and the childcare credit.  The non-custodial parent gets the child tax credit for children under the age of 17.

 

As far as the IRS is concerned, the custodial parent is the one with whom the child spent the most nights during the tax year--at least 183 nights.

 

If you are a non-married couple who live together then only one of you can claim the child(ren) and the one not claiming the child does not enter anything at all on their tax return about the child. 

 

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.

 

 

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