2017 Head of Household Filing Status

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.

2017 HOHucator
Are You a Head of Household?

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 Not Sure

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

Son Daughter Neither

Grandson Granddaughter Neither

Stepson Stepdaughter Neither

Brother Sister Neither

Half Brother Half Sister Neither

Stepbrother Stepsister Neither

Adopted Child Foster Child Neither

Is this person a descendant of any of the above?

For example a Niece or Nephew would be a descendant of your Brother or Sister.

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 provide more than 50% of their own support during the tax year?

Yes No

Are you, the taxpayer, the 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 tax 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

Based on your answers, this person is not a Qualifying Child. You cannot claim them as a dependent unless they are a Qualifying Relative.

Based on your answers, you can claim this person as a dependent. They are considered a Qualifying Child.

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 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:

Child Step-child Descendant of these None

Foster Child Descendant of Foster Child Neither

Sibling Half-Sibling Step-Sibling None

Parent Grandparent Direct Ancestor of these None

A direct ancestor is someone from whom you descend, parent to child, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc.

Stepmother Stepfather Neither

Sibling's Son/Daughter Half-Sibling's Son/Daughter Neither

Your Aunt Your Uncle Neither

Son-in-law Daughter-in-law Neither

Mother-in-law Father-in-law Neither

Brother-in-law Sister-in-law Neither

Did this person live with you for the ENTIRE tax year?

Yes No

Did the person have a gross income of less than $4,050?

Yes No

Did you provide over 50% (more than half) of the total support for the person?

Yes No

Is this person a Qualifying Child for you or anyone else?

TIP: If the person is your girlfriend or boyfriend's child, and the child lived with you ALL year, and the child's parent is NOT required to file a tax return, answer "No" to this question.

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

Based on your answers, this person is not a Qualifying Relative. You cannot claim them as a dependent.

Based on your answers, you can claim this person as a dependent. They are considered a Qualifying Relative.

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.
Please use our STATucator to help you determine the correct filing status for you.
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Yes. Based on your answers, you do qualify for Head of Household status.
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How to Know If Someone Is Your 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 Qualifying 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 to File as Head of Household

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

More Head of Household Information

See all of the requirements to file as Head of Household.
Find out all the details about the Head of Household filing status.
Need help? Ask FREE Tax Questions!