Head of Household

A filing status for unmarried people who pay more than half the cost of maintaining a home for a qualifying dependent.

Full explanation

Head of Household status gives you a larger standard deduction ($24,150 for 2026 vs $16,100 for Single) and more favorable tax brackets. To qualify: you must be unmarried (or considered unmarried) on December 31, you must have paid more than half the cost of maintaining your home for the year, and a qualifying person (child, parent, or other dependent) must have lived with you for more than half the year.

Source: IRS Publication 501 — Head of Household Filing Status

Ask the AI about this

“How does head of householdaffect my taxes?”

Tax education only. Source: IRS Publication 501 — Head of Household Filing Status.