Frequently Asked Questions

Do I qualify for Head of Household status?

You qualify if you meet ALL three requirements:

1. You're unmarried or "considered unmarried" on December 31
2. You paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home
3. A qualifying person lived with you for more than half the year (or you support a parent)

Can I file HOH if I'm still married?

Yes, if you're "considered unmarried." This requires: spouse didn't live with you for last 6 months, you paid >50% of household costs, and your child lived with you >6 months.

Who counts as a qualifying person?

Your child (under 19, or under 24 if student, or any age if disabled), grandchild, sibling, or parent (if you provide >50% support). Must live with you >6 months (parent exception: doesn't need to live with you).

Does my boyfriend/girlfriend qualify me for HOH?

No. Qualifying persons must be related by blood, marriage, or legal adoption. A domestic partner does not qualify.

Is the calculator free?

Yes, 100% free. No hidden fees, no subscriptions, no email required.

Do you store my tax information?

No. All calculations happen in your browser. We don't send or store your personal tax data on our servers.

How accurate is the calculator?

We use official 2025 IRS tax brackets, standard deductions, and credit calculations. Results are estimates and should be verified with a tax professional or actual tax return.

Can I use this for my actual tax filing?

Our calculator provides estimates only, not tax filing. Use IRS Form 1040 or tax software (TurboTax, H&R Block, etc.) to file your actual return.

What income should I enter?

Enter your gross income (before any deductions). This includes wages, salary, self-employment income, investment income, etc.

What's the HOH standard deduction for 2025?

$22,500 (compared to $13,850 for Single). This is $8,650 more, which saves approximately $1,730-$3,020 in federal taxes depending on your bracket.

What are the 2025 HOH tax brackets?

2025 HOH tax brackets:

• • 10% on income up to $16,550
• • 12% on income $16,551 to $63,100
• • 22% on income $63,101 to $100,500
• • 24% on income $100,501 to $191,950
• • 32% on income $191,951 to $243,700
• • 35% on income $243,701 to $609,350
• • 37% on income over $609,350

How much does HOH save vs Single?

Average savings: $1,500-$3,500 per year. The exact amount depends on your income. At $75,000 income, HOH saves about $3,649 vs Single.

What's the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?

Marginal rate: Tax rate on your last dollar earned (your tax bracket).
Effective rate: Average tax rate on all your income (total tax ÷ total income).

Example: If you're in the 22% bracket but your effective rate is 12%, you pay 22% on dollars in that bracket only, not all your income.

What's FICA tax?

FICA is Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600) + Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% on income over $200,000). Total: 7.65% for most workers.

How much is the Child Tax Credit?

$2,000 per child under 17. Up to $1,700 is refundable (you can get it even if you owe no tax). Phases out starting at $200,000 income for HOH filers.

Do I qualify for Earned Income Credit?

Possibly. HOH filers with children can get up to $7,830 (3+ children). Income limits: $49,084 (1 child), $55,768 (2 children), $59,899 (3+ children).

Should I contribute to a 401(k) or IRA?

Generally yes! 401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income. At 22% bracket, every $1,000 contributed saves $220 in federal taxes. See our calculators for your specific savings.

Can both parents claim HOH for the same child?

No. Only the custodial parent (where child lived most of the year) can file HOH. The other parent must file Single or MFS, even if they claim the child as a dependent.

What if I filed HOH incorrectly?

File Form 1040-X (Amended Return) immediately. Pay any additional tax owed to minimize interest and penalties. Don't wait for the IRS to contact you.

Does HOH increase audit risk?

HOH is scrutinized more than Single or MFJ. Keep documentation: divorce decree, child custody agreement, household expense records, proof of residence. Most audits happen because both parents claim the same child.