What Is a HOH? (and Why It Pays to Be One)

What Is a HOH?
Could You Be a HOH?

Do You Want to Be a HOH?

Are You ALREADY a HOH?

What is a HOH, anyway? Is a HOH someone who dates everyone but you? Is it something Santa Claus says three times? Or is it a river named after a Native American tribe? How about an expression commonly used after "Heave"?

Well, it might be all of those things... but the HOH we're talking about is a Head of Household. It's a great tax filing status that can really pay off when it comes to filing your tax return!

Compared to the Single filing status, Heads of Household get lower tax rates, a higher standard deduction, and qualify more easily for some tax credits. A lot of single parents are Heads of Household, and so are other unmarried people with dependents. To file as a Head of Household, you have to be unmarried and you have to support a Qualifying Person.

Take the "HOHucator" Test!
It's the Head of Household Status Educator

Use the "HOHucator" to find out if you qualify to file as Head of Household. Just answer the "Yes" and "No" questions until the HOHucator gives you a final answer. See all of the requirements to file as Head of Household.

Start the "HOHucator" Test by Answering the Question

Were you married as of 12/31 of the tax year?

Yes No

Did you pay more than 50% of the cost of keeping up a home for the entire year?

Yes No

So far, so good! Now let’s see if you have a Qualifying Person. Answer the remaining questions about your potential Qualifying Person.

Is this person your IRS Qualifying Child?

Yes No I'm Not Sure

You're not sure if this person is a Qualifying Child?
No problem, let's find out right now.

If you are the taxpayer, is this person your: -Son or daughter -Grandson or granddaughter -Stepson or stepdaughter -Brother or sister -Half brother or half sister -Stepbrother or stepsister -Adopted child -Foster child -Or a descendent of any of the above?	Yes No
Did the person live with you for more than 6 months of the tax year?	Yes No
Was the person under age 19 by Dec. 31 of the tax year?	Yes No
Was the person under age 24 and a full time student?	Yes No
Is the person permanently and totally disabled?	Yes No
Did the person provided more than 50% of his/her own support during the tax year?	Yes No
Are you, the taxpayer, a dependent of another taxpayer?	Yes No
Is the person married, and did they file a joint return with their spouse?	Yes No
Is the person (and their spouse) required to file a return?	Yes No
If the person and their spouse file separate returns, would they owe taxes?	Yes No
Did the person and their spouse file a return only to claim a refund?	Yes No
Is the person a U.S. Citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico?	Yes No
No. Based on your answers, this person is not a Qualifying Child. We are returning you to the first question below, with "No" selected as your answer. Please continue.
Yes. Based on your answers, this person is a Qualifying Child for you. We are returning you to the first question below, with "Yes" selected as your answer. Please continue.

If you are the taxpayer, is this person your IRS Qualifying Child?

Yes No

Is the person single?

Yes No

Is the person married AND can you claim them as a tax exemption?

Yes No

Is the person your mother or father AND can you claim them as a tax exemption?

Yes No

Is this person a Qualifying Relative AND are they related to you?

Yes No I'm Not Sure

You're not sure if this person is a Qualifying Relative?
No problem, let's find out right now.

If you are the taxpayer, is this person: -Your son or daughter -A descendent of your son or daughter -Your stepson or stepdaughter -Your brother or sister -Your step brother or step sister -Your mother or father -An ancestor of your mother or father -Your stepfather or stepmother -Your brother or sister’s son or daughter -Your mother or father’s brother or sister - Your son or daughter-in-law - Your mother or father-in-law - Your brother or sister-in-law?	Yes No
Did this person live with you as a member of your household for the ENTIRE tax year?	Yes No
Did the person have a gross income of less than the personal exemption amount ($3,800 for 2012)?	Yes No
Did you provide over 50% (more than half) of the total support of the person?	Yes No
Is this person a Qualifying Child for you or anyone else? TIP: Answer "No" if the person is your girlfriend or boyfriend's child who lived with you all year, as long as the child's parent is not required to file a tax return.	Yes No
Are you, the taxpayer, a dependent of another taxpayer?	Yes No
Is the person married, and did they file a joint return with their spouse?	Yes No
Is the person (and their spouse, if married) required to file a return?	Yes No
If the person and their spouse filed separate returns, would they owe taxes?	Yes No
Did the person and their spouse file a return only to claim a refund?	Yes No
Is the person a U.S. Citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico?	Yes No
No. Based on your answers, this person is not a Qualifying Relative. We are returning you to the original question below, with "No" selected as your answer. Please continue.
Yes. Based on your answers, this person is a Qualifying Relative. We are returning you to the original question below, with "Yes" selected as your answer. Please continue.

Is this person a Qualifying Relative AND are they related to you?

Yes No

No. According to your answers, you do not qualify as Head of Household.

Clear Entries

Now, if you know your filing status, you can go ahead and estimate your tax return:

Start the "TaxStimator" Tax Estimator!

Yes. Based on your answers, you do qualify for Head of Household status.

Now that you know your filing status, you can estimate your tax return with our FREE tax calculator, the "TaxStimator". Remember to select Head of Household as your filing status!

Start the "TaxStimator" Tax Estimator!

Clear Entries

Find out all the details about the Head of Household filing status.

Need help? Ask FREE Tax Questions!

How Do I Know if Someone Is My Qualifying Person?

It can be tricky to figure out if someone is your Qualifying Person. If you have a dependent, they might or might not also count as your Qualifying Person.

A dependent is not always a Qualifying Person, and you don't necessarily have to claim a Qulaifying Person as a dependent.

Confused? Don't worry, we've made it easy for you! Just use the free Head of Household tool (the HOHucator test) on this page.

How Do I File as Head of Household?

Find out how to how to file as Head of Household.

Other Free Tax Toys & Tools:

FREE tax toys and tools! Play around and educate yourself!

Does your child qualify as a dependent? Use the DEPENDucator!

Does a relative or friend count as a dependent? Find out with the RELucator!

Can you claim the Earned Income Credit? The EICucator will let you know!

Will you get the Child Tax Credit? The KIDucator has the answer for you!

Estimate your taxes and tax refund with the free and easy-to-use TaxStimator!

Use our Braxtimator, the tax bracket estimator tool!

What Is a HOH? (and Why It Pays to Be One)

Take the "HOHucator" Test! It's the Head of Household Status Educator

How Do I Know if Someone Is My Qualifying Person?

How Do I File as Head of Household?

Take the "HOHucator" Test!
It's the Head of Household Status Educator