Filing Status Decision Wizard
Answer a few questions to determine your correct filing status. Each status has different tax rates and benefits.
Find Your Filing Status
Step 1: What is your marital status on December 31?
🔵 Married
You have a valid marriage license and are not legally separated.
🔵 Unmarried
Single, divorced, or legally separated by a court order.
🔵 Widowed This Year
Your spouse died during the current tax year.
✓ File Married Filing Jointly for the year your spouse died (even if remarried later in year). This gives you the best rates.
🔵 Widowed 1-2 Years Ago
Your spouse died in a prior year, and you haven't remarried.
Step 2a: Married Filing Options
Option 1: Married Filing Jointly (Recommended)
✓ Choose This If:
- • You want the lowest tax bill (usually)
- • Combined income under $400k (for credits)
- • One spouse has little/no income
- • Both spouses agree to file jointly
Benefits:
- • Highest standard deduction ($27,300)
- • Widest tax brackets
- • Best credit phase-out thresholds
Option 2: Married Filing Separately
✓ Choose This If:
- • Spouse won't agree to file jointly
- • You want to separate tax liability
- • One spouse has high medical expenses (itemizing)
- • Income-driven student loan repayment
⚠️ Drawbacks:
- • Higher tax rates than MFJ
- • Lower standard deduction ($13,850)
- • Many credits unavailable (EIC, education credits, etc.)
- • If one itemizes, both must itemize
Option 3: Head of Household (While Still Married)
✓ Choose This If ALL Apply:
- • Spouse didn't live with you last 6 months of year
- • You paid >50% of household costs
- • Your child lived with you >6 months
- • You can claim child as dependent
Benefits over MFS:
- • Higher standard deduction ($22,500 vs $13,850)
- • Lower tax rates
- • Qualify for more credits (EIC, CTC, etc.)
Step 2b: Unmarried Filing Options
Option 1: Head of Household (Recommended if Eligible)
✓ Choose This If ALL Apply:
- • You are unmarried or "considered unmarried"
- • You paid >50% of household costs
- • A qualifying person lived with you >6 months (or you support a parent elsewhere)
Benefits over Single:
- • Standard deduction $22,500 vs $13,850 ($8,650 more!)
- • Lower tax rates at most income levels
- • Average savings: $1,500 - $3,500/year
Option 2: Single
✓ Choose This If:
- • You don't qualify for Head of Household
- • You don't have a qualifying dependent
- • You're unmarried and don't meet HOH requirements
Single filing has the narrowest tax brackets and lowest standard deduction ($13,850). If you possibly qualify for HOH, that's much better.
Qualifying Widow(er) Status
If your spouse died in 2023 or 2024, you may qualify for Qualifying Widow(er) status for 2 years after death, which gives you the same rates as Married Filing Jointly.
✓ You Qualify If ALL Apply:
- • Your spouse died in 2023 or 2024 (not 2025)
- • You have NOT remarried
- • You have a dependent child who lived with you all year
- • You can claim the child as a dependent
- • You paid more than half the cost of keeping up your home
Benefits:
- • Same tax rates as Married Filing Jointly
- • Standard deduction: $27,300
- • Higher credit phase-out thresholds
After 2 years: You must switch to Head of Household (if eligible) or Single.
2025 Filing Status Comparison
| Feature | Single | HOH | MFJ | MFS | QW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Deduction | $13,850 | $22,500 | $27,300 | $13,850 | $27,300 |
| 12% Bracket Ends | $47,150 | $63,100 | $94,300 | $47,150 | $94,300 |
| 24% Bracket Starts | $100,525 | $100,500 | $201,050 | $100,525 | $201,050 |
| CTC Phase-out Starts | $200,000 | $200,000 | $400,000 | $200,000 | $400,000 |
| Eligible for EIC? | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Dependent Required? | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
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