Hey there, tax adventurer! Ever felt like your tax filing status is a mysterious labyrinth? Well, you're not alone! Many people, especially those juggling household responsibilities without a spouse, miss out on significant tax benefits simply because they aren't aware they qualify for "Head of Household" status.
If you've been filing as "Single" but have a qualifying dependent and are the primary financial support for your home, you could be leaving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the table! TurboTax makes changing your filing status relatively straightforward, but it's crucial to understand the rules and follow the steps carefully. Let's dive in and see if we can unlock those tax savings for you!
How to Change Your Filing Status to Head of Household on TurboTax: A Comprehensive Guide
Changing your filing status on TurboTax, whether you haven't filed yet or need to amend a return, involves a few key steps. It's all about ensuring you meet the IRS criteria and accurately inputting that information into the software.
Step 1: Determine If You Actually Qualify for Head of Household Status (The Most Crucial First Step!)
Before you even log into TurboTax, let's confirm your eligibility. This is paramount, as incorrectly claiming HOH status can lead to audits and penalties. The IRS has strict rules. Generally, to qualify as Head of Household, you must meet all of the following conditions for the tax year:
You must be unmarried or considered "unmarried" on the last day of the tax year. This means:
You were never married.
You are legally divorced or separated.
You were married but lived apart from your spouse for the last six months of the tax year, and you meet other requirements (this is often called "considered unmarried").
You must have paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home for the year. This includes expenses like:
Rent or mortgage interest
Property taxes
Utilities (gas, electricity, water, internet)
Repairs and maintenance
Food consumed in the home (groceries)
It does NOT include expenses like clothing, education, medical care, life insurance, or transportation.
A qualifying person must have lived in your home for more than half the year. This "qualifying person" can be:
Your qualifying child (son, daughter, stepchild, adopted child, foster child, grandchild, etc.) who meets certain age and support tests. Even if the noncustodial parent claims the child as a dependent, the custodial parent may still be able to file as Head of Household.
In some cases, a qualifying relative (like a parent) who you can claim as a dependent. A special rule applies to parents: they don't have to live with you for you to qualify if you maintain their home and can claim them as a dependent.
Think about your situation carefully. Do you tick all these boxes? If you're unsure, the IRS website (irs.gov) has an interactive tool, and TurboTax will guide you through questions to confirm eligibility.
Sub-heading: Gathering Your Proof
While you don't necessarily upload documents to TurboTax for filing, it's highly advisable to have documentation ready in case the IRS ever asks for proof. This includes:
Proof of marital status: Divorce decree, legal separation papers, or simply being unmarried.
Proof of household expenses: Utility bills in your name, mortgage statements, rent receipts, grocery receipts.
Proof of qualifying person's residency: School records, medical records, or other official documents showing they lived with you for more than half the year.
Step 2: Changing Your Filing Status Before You File Your Return
If you're still working on your tax return in TurboTax and haven't filed it yet, changing your filing status is quite simple.
Sub-heading: For TurboTax Online Users
Log in to your TurboTax account.
Navigate to the "Personal Info" section. On the left-hand menu, you'll usually see an option like "Tax Home" or "My Info." Click on this.
Find your name and click "Edit." This will take you to a screen where you review your personal details.
Continue through the interview screens until you reach the section asking about your marital status on December 31st of the tax year.
Select your correct marital status (e.g., "Single," "Divorced," or if you're married but meet the "considered unmarried" rules, select that option).
Proceed through the questions about your household and dependents. TurboTax is designed to ask a series of questions that will automatically determine if you qualify for Head of Household based on your answers about who lives with you and who you support.
Pay close attention when TurboTax asks about dependents. Make sure you correctly add your qualifying person(s).
You'll likely be asked if you paid more than half the cost of keeping up your home. Answer truthfully!
TurboTax will then automatically update your filing status to Head of Household if your answers indicate you qualify. You should see this reflected in your tax summary.
Sub-heading: For TurboTax Desktop/CD Users
Open your tax return in the TurboTax desktop software.
Go to the "Personal Info" or "My Info" tab. This is usually found at the top or on the left-hand navigation pane.
Locate the section on "Filing Status" or "About Your Household."
Review your marital status. If it's incorrect, change it.
Add or verify your dependents. Ensure all qualifying persons are listed.
Answer the series of questions related to your household expenses and the living arrangements of your dependents. Just like the online version, the desktop software will use your answers to determine your correct filing status.
The software will automatically adjust your filing status to Head of Household if you meet the criteria.
Step 3: Amending Your Return to Change Filing Status to Head of Household (If You've Already Filed)
If you've already filed your tax return and realize you should have filed as Head of Household, don't panic! You can amend your return using IRS Form 1040-X. TurboTax makes this process relatively straightforward as well.
Sub-heading: Important Considerations Before Amending
Wait for your original return to be processed: Do NOT amend your return until the IRS has fully processed your original return and you've received your refund (if applicable) or paid your taxes due. Amending too soon can cause significant delays and confusion.
Form 1040-X availability: The IRS typically makes the Form 1040-X available for the current tax year later in the year. TurboTax will usually notify you when it's ready.
Saving your original return: Before you start the amendment process, it's a best practice to save a copy of your original, unamended return for your records.
Sub-heading: Steps to Amend in TurboTax Online (after filing)
Log in to your TurboTax account.
Access your filed return: Go to "Your Tax Returns & Documents" (or a similar section). You might need to click "Amend a return" or "Amend (change) your return."
Start the amendment process: TurboTax will walk you through the steps to amend. It often asks if you need to "amend [year] return."
Go to "Personal Info": Once you're in the amendment mode, navigate back to the "Personal Info" or "My Info" section, similar to Step 2.
Change your filing status: Follow the same steps as in "Changing Your Filing Status Before You File Your Return" (Step 2.1) to update your marital status and dependent information. TurboTax will re-calculate your taxes based on the new HOH status.
Review the changes: TurboTax will show you the difference between your original return and the amended one. This is where you'll see the potential tax savings!
Print and Mail: Generally, amended returns (Form 1040-X) cannot be e-filed. TurboTax will guide you to print the amended return and mail it to the appropriate IRS address. Make sure to sign and date it!
Track your amended return: You can track the status of your amended return using the IRS "Where's My Amended Return?" tool on their website (irs.gov/wheres-my-amended-return). Note that amended returns can take up to 16 weeks or more to process.
Sub-heading: Steps to Amend in TurboTax Desktop/CD (after filing)
Open your original tax file in TurboTax Desktop.
Go to the "File" menu at the top of the screen and select "Amend a return" or "Amend (change) a filed return."
Follow the on-screen prompts. TurboTax will create a copy of your original return and prepare it for amendment.
Navigate to "Personal Info" or "My Info."
Adjust your marital status and dependent information as described in Step 2.2.
Review the updated tax figures.
Print Form 1040-X: TurboTax will generate the necessary Form 1040-X. Print it out.
Mail your amended return: Sign, date, and mail the Form 1040-X (and any required attachments) to the IRS address provided by TurboTax or on the IRS website.
Step 4: What to Expect After Changing/Amending
Potential Refund: If changing to Head of Household lowers your tax liability, you could receive a larger refund or owe less tax.
Processing Time:
If you change your status before filing, your return will be processed like any other.
If you amend your return, expect a longer processing time (as mentioned, up to 16 weeks or more for Form 1040-X).
IRS Correspondence: The IRS may send you a letter (e.g., CP09) if they identify that you might be eligible for Head of Household or other credits, or they may request additional information if they need to verify your eligibility. This is why keeping good records is so important!
Congratulations! You've taken the steps to ensure your tax filing status accurately reflects your situation and potentially puts more money back in your pocket. This isn't just about a bigger refund; it's about claiming the tax benefits you are rightfully entitled to.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Head of Household & TurboTax
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to changing your filing status to Head of Household on TurboTax, with quick answers:
How to know if I qualify for Head of Household if my child doesn't live with me all year?
You generally need to have a qualifying person live with you for more than half the year. However, there's an exception: if you support your parent and they qualify as your dependent, they don't have to live with you to qualify for HOH.
How to determine if I paid more than half the cost of keeping up my home?
Add up all the household expenses (rent/mortgage, utilities, food, repairs, property taxes, insurance) and compare what you paid to what others (including your qualifying person, if they contributed) paid. If your share is over 50%, you meet this criterion.
How to change my filing status on TurboTax if I already e-filed?
You will need to amend your tax return using Form 1040-X in TurboTax. Wait for your original return to be fully processed by the IRS before starting the amendment.
How to find the "Personal Info" section in TurboTax to change my filing status?
In TurboTax Online, look for "Tax Home" or "My Info" in the left-hand navigation. In desktop software, it's usually a main tab or section at the top.
How to add a dependent in TurboTax to qualify for Head of Household?
During the "Personal Info" interview, TurboTax will ask about dependents. You'll enter their information (name, SSN, relationship, etc.) there, and the software will determine if they qualify.
How to ensure TurboTax correctly applies the Head of Household status?
TurboTax will automatically apply HOH if your answers to the "Personal Info" and dependent questions meet the IRS criteria. Always review your tax summary to confirm the filing status is correctly shown.
How to track the status of an amended return filed through TurboTax?
You can track it directly on the IRS website using their "Where's My Amended Return?" tool. You'll need your SSN, date of birth, and zip code.
How to understand the benefits of filing as Head of Household over Single?
Head of Household generally offers a higher standard deduction and more favorable tax brackets compared to filing as Single, leading to lower tax liability and potentially a larger refund.
How to handle a situation where TurboTax doesn't offer Head of Household even if I think I qualify?
Double-check all your inputs in the "Personal Info" and "Dependents" sections. Ensure you've answered all questions accurately, especially regarding who lives with you and who paid for household expenses. If it still doesn't appear, you might need to consult a tax professional or TurboTax support.
How to get help from TurboTax if I'm stuck changing my filing status?
TurboTax offers various support options, including their online community forums (TurboTax Community), FAQs, and sometimes direct chat or phone support, depending on your product and level of service. Look for the "Help" or "Support" links within the software or on their website.