You're ready to tackle your taxes, and you've realized that "Head of Household" might be the best filing status for you. Fantastic! This status can offer significant tax advantages, including a higher standard deduction and more favorable tax brackets compared to filing as Single or Married Filing Separately. But how do you actually make that change in TurboTax? Let's dive in!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you understand not just how to change your filing status, but also why it's important and what you need to know to qualify.
Unlocking Tax Savings: Changing Your Filing Status to Head of Household on TurboTax
Changing your filing status on TurboTax is generally straightforward, especially if you haven't filed yet. If you have, don't worry, we'll cover amending your return too! The key is to ensure you meet the IRS requirements for Head of Household.
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| How Do I Change My Filing Status To Head Of Household On Turbotax |
Step 1: Are You Eligible? Confirming Your Head of Household Status
Before you even touch TurboTax, the most crucial step is to verify your eligibility for Head of Household (HOH) status. The IRS has strict rules, and incorrectly claiming HOH can lead to delays or penalties.
Sub-heading 1.1: The Three Pillars of HOH Eligibility
To qualify for Head of Household, you generally must meet all three of the following conditions for the tax year:
You must be considered unmarried on the last day of the tax year. This means you were single, legally separated, or divorced as of December 31st of the tax year. There are also specific rules if your spouse did not live in your home during the last six months of the tax year and you maintained the home for a qualifying person.
You must have paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home for the year. This includes expenses like rent/mortgage, utilities (gas, electric, water, internet), groceries, property taxes, home insurance, and repairs. It's vital to track these expenses accurately.
You must have a qualifying person who lived with you in your home for more than half the year. There are exceptions for temporary absences (e.g., schooling, military service). This qualifying person can be:
Your child (including adopted, step, or foster child), sibling, half-sibling, step-sibling, or a descendant of any of them (e.g., grandchild) who meets age, residency, and support tests.
Your parent, whom you can claim as a dependent, even if they don't live with you (as long as you pay more than half the cost of maintaining their home).
Another qualifying relative who lived with you for more than half the year and whom you can claim as a dependent.
Sub-heading 1.2: Common Misconceptions and Red Flags
"I pay the bills, so I'm Head of Household." Not necessarily. You must also have a qualifying person living with you (or your parent you support).
"My boyfriend/girlfriend lives with me and I support them." Unless they are a qualifying child or relative meeting all IRS criteria, they typically do not qualify you for HOH.
"I'm married but separated." You might qualify, but you must meet specific "considered unmarried" rules, which typically means living apart from your spouse for the last six months of the year and filing a separate return.
Take a moment to truly assess your situation against these criteria. If you're unsure, consulting IRS Publication 501 or a tax professional is highly recommended.
Step 2: Navigating TurboTax Before Filing
Tip: Compare what you read here with other sources.
If you haven't filed your tax return yet, changing your filing status in TurboTax is relatively straightforward.
Sub-heading 2.1: Locating Your Personal Info Section
Log in to your TurboTax account or open your TurboTax desktop software.
Once you're in your tax return, look for the "My Info" or "Personal Info" section on the left-hand navigation panel (in the online version) or at the top of the screen (in the desktop version). This is your starting point for all personal information.
Click on "My Info" or "Personal Info" to access the details about yourself and your household.
Sub-heading 2.2: Updating Marital Status and Dependents
Within the "My Info" section, you'll see a screen that asks about your marital status on December 31st of the tax year.
If you're currently marked as "Single" or "Married Filing Separately," you're on the right track. If you're marked as "Married Filing Jointly," you'll need to change this first to either "Married Filing Separately" or indicate that you were divorced/separated by year-end.
Crucially, you'll then need to proceed to the "Dependents" section.
TurboTax is designed to automatically suggest Head of Household status if you enter a qualifying dependent and meet the "unmarried" and "paid more than half the cost" criteria.
Add your qualifying dependent(s) by providing all the requested information, including their relationship to you, their Social Security Number, and how long they lived with you.
TurboTax will then ask a series of questions to determine if the person you've entered qualifies as a dependent for HOH purposes. Answer these questions carefully and accurately.
As you answer the questions about your dependents and household expenses, TurboTax will prompt you with questions related to who paid for more than half the cost of keeping up your home. Be sure to answer these truthfully.
Sub-heading 2.3: TurboTax's Automatic Suggestion
After you've accurately entered your marital status and information about your qualifying dependent and household expenses, TurboTax should automatically detect your eligibility and offer "Head of Household" as your recommended filing status. You'll see this reflected in the summary or on a dedicated screen where you confirm your filing status.
If TurboTax does not offer HOH status, it means that based on your inputs, you haven't met all the criteria it's looking for. Revisit the "My Info" and "Dependents" sections to ensure all information is entered correctly. Sometimes, a small detail can make a big difference.
Step 3: Already Filed? Amending Your Tax Return
If you've already filed your tax return as Single or Married Filing Separately, and you now realize you qualify for Head of Household, you'll need to amend your tax return. Do not refile your original return. Amending your return means submitting a Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to the IRS.
Sub-heading 3.1: Important Considerations Before Amending
Wait for Original Return to Process: Do NOT amend your return immediately after filing. Wait until your original return has been fully accepted and processed by the IRS. If you're expecting a refund, wait until you've received it. If you owe taxes, wait until your payment has cleared. Amending too soon can cause confusion and significant delays.
Form 1040-X Availability: Form 1040-X, the amended return form, might not be immediately available at the beginning of the tax season. TurboTax will inform you when it's ready.
Potential for Audit: Amending a return, especially for a change in filing status, can sometimes flag your return for review by the IRS. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it means you should have all your supporting documentation readily available to prove your HOH eligibility (more on this below).
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
Sub-heading 3.2: The Amending Process in TurboTax
Log in to your TurboTax account.
Access your previously filed return. Look for an option like "Amend a filed return" or "Amend (year) return" in your account dashboard or under "Tax Tools."
Follow the TurboTax prompts for amending. TurboTax will guide you through the process. It typically involves:
Making a copy of your original return: TurboTax usually does this automatically.
Indicating what you need to change: You'll select that you want to change your filing status.
Revisiting the "My Info" section: Just like if you were filing for the first time, you'll go back to the "My Info" section and update your marital status and dependent information to reflect your HOH eligibility.
TurboTax will recalculate your taxes: The software will then automatically calculate the difference in your tax liability based on the Head of Household status.
Generating Form 1040-X: TurboTax will prepare Form 1040-X, showing the changes from your original return and the new tax amount.
Print and Mail (Usually): While e-filing Form 1040-X is becoming more common, amended returns are often still required to be printed and mailed to the IRS. TurboTax will provide the correct mailing address based on your location.
Attach Supporting Documents: If you're mailing, make sure to attach any forms or schedules that were changed or added as a result of your filing status change. TurboTax will typically instruct you on what to include.
Sign and Date: Don't forget to sign and date your Form 1040-X! Unsigned returns will be sent back.
Amended returns can take significantly longer for the IRS to process (up to 16 weeks or more). You can track the status of your amended return using the IRS "Where's My Amended Return?" tool.
Step 4: Beyond TurboTax: Essential Documentation and Record Keeping
Regardless of whether you're filing for the first time or amending, maintaining impeccable records is paramount when claiming Head of Household status. The IRS may ask for proof of your eligibility.
Sub-heading 4.1: Proof of Unmarried Status
Divorce decree or separation agreement: If you were divorced or legally separated.
Documentation showing separate residences: If you were married but lived apart from your spouse for the last six months of the year (e.g., utility bills, lease agreements in your name only).
Sub-heading 4.2: Proof of Paying More Than Half the Household Costs
Keep detailed records of payments for:
Rent or mortgage payments
Utility bills (electricity, gas, water, internet)
Property taxes
Homeowners/renters insurance
Groceries (keep receipts or bank statements)
Repairs and maintenance costs
You'll want to be able to show a clear paper trail demonstrating that your contributions exceeded 50% of the total household expenses.
Sub-heading 4.3: Proof of Qualifying Person and Residency
Birth certificates or adoption papers: To establish the relationship.
School records or medical records: Showing the qualifying person's address consistent with yours.
Letters from schools, doctors, or social service agencies: On official letterhead, confirming the child or dependent lived with you for more than half the year.
Dependent's Social Security Number (SSN): Essential for claiming them.
Being organized with these documents will make any potential IRS inquiry much smoother.
Tip: Don’t just glance — focus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Head of Household and TurboTax
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to changing your filing status to Head of Household in TurboTax, with quick answers:
How to: Determine if I truly qualify for Head of Household?
Quick Answer: You generally must be unmarried (or considered unmarried), pay over half the cost of keeping up a home, and have a qualifying person (usually a dependent) live with you for more than half the year. Use the IRS's "Am I Head of Household?" tool or consult IRS Publication 501 for detailed criteria.
How to: Change my filing status in TurboTax if I haven't filed yet?
Quick Answer: Go to the "My Info" or "Personal Info" section in TurboTax. Update your marital status and carefully enter all information about your dependents. TurboTax should then automatically offer Head of Household status if you qualify.
How to: Amend my already-filed tax return to Head of Household in TurboTax?
Quick Answer: Wait for your original return to be fully processed by the IRS. Then, log in to TurboTax, find the option to "Amend a filed return" (Form 1040-X), and follow the guided steps to update your personal and dependent information. You will typically print and mail the amended return.
How to: Add a dependent in TurboTax to qualify for Head of Household?
Quick Answer: In the "My Info" or "Personal Info" section, navigate to the "Dependents" subsection. Click to add a new dependent and accurately enter all requested information, including their relationship, Social Security Number, and how long they lived with you. TurboTax will then assess their eligibility.
QuickTip: Reread for hidden meaning.
How to: Prove I paid more than half the household expenses for Head of Household?
Quick Answer: Keep detailed records of your rent/mortgage payments, utility bills (electricity, gas, water), property taxes, home insurance, and grocery receipts. Be prepared to show these documents if the IRS requests them.
How to: Handle a situation where TurboTax isn't automatically suggesting Head of Household?
Quick Answer: Revisit the "My Info" and "Dependents" sections. Double-check every answer, especially your marital status, the dependent's information (age, relationship, residency, support), and your answers regarding who paid for household costs. A small misstep can prevent the auto-suggestion.
How to: Know what documents I need to support my Head of Household claim?
Quick Answer: You'll need documents proving your unmarried status (e.g., divorce decree), proof of dependent relationship and residency (e.g., birth certificates, school records), and proof of household expense payments (e.g., utility bills, rent receipts).
How to: Track the status of an amended tax return filed as Head of Household?
Quick Answer: Use the IRS's "Where's My Amended Return?" tool online. It can take up to 16 weeks or more for the IRS to process an amended return, and it may not show up in the system for up to three weeks after mailing.
How to: Understand the tax benefits of filing as Head of Household?
Quick Answer: Head of Household status generally offers a higher standard deduction and more favorable tax brackets compared to filing as Single or Married Filing Separately, potentially leading to a lower tax liability or a larger refund.
How to: Get expert help if I'm still confused about Head of Household eligibility?
Quick Answer: If you're unsure about your eligibility or the process, consider using TurboTax Live to connect with a tax expert, or consult with an independent tax professional. They can provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation.
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