Filing Status

Understand the different tax filing statuses and their implications with our comprehensive guide. This resource covers the criteria for Single, Married Filing Jointly (MFJ), Married Filing Separately (MFS), Head of Household (HOH), and Qualifying Surviving Spouse (QSS) statuses. It includes detailed rules for determining eligibility, tax benefits, and potential penalties, helping taxpayers choose the most advantageous filing status.

Highlights:

• Single: Criteria for those who are unmarried, divorced, or legally separated.

• Married Filing Jointly (MFJ): Benefits and eligibility for couples, including special rules for deceased spouses.

• Married Filing Separately (MFS): Considerations and limitations, including tax bracket adjustments and disallowed credits.

• Head of Household (HOH): Eligibility requirements for providing a home for a qualifying individual, including unique situations for separated spouses.

• Qualifying Surviving Spouse (QSS): Rules for widows and widowers with dependents, allowing them to retain the benefits of the MFJ status for up to two years after a spouse’s death.