This is my first year filing single in years. I'm trying to figure out how to claim head of household for my home. My ex and I live in separate homes, have 50/50 cust

[amber3398]

Additional info: I was awarded the home, I get child support but make more than 50%.

[JamesG1]

You may qualify for Head of Household filing status if you:

• Were unmarried as of December 31, 2024 and
• Paid more than half the cost of keeping up your home during the tax year (rent, mortgage, utilities, etc.), and
• Supported a qualifying person.

If you were legally married as of December 31, 2024 and a child lives with you, you may qualify for Head of Household filing status if:

• You will not be filing jointly with your spouse,
• Your spouse did not live in your home during the last six months of the year,
• Your home was your child's, stepchild's, or foster child's main home for more than half the year, 
• You paid more than half the costs of keeping up your home during the tax year,
• You meet the qualifications to claim the child as your dependent, even if the other (noncustodial) parent is actually claiming the child as a dependent on their return.

TurboTax software will ask you simple questions and give you the tax deductions and credits for which you are eligible based upon your answers.

See this TurboTax Help.

[xmasbaby0]

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.  If the child is 17 or older the non-custodial parent gets the $500 credit for other dependents.

If you and the other parent have a signed agreement, you need to indicate in MY INFO that you have such an agreement.

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.