i was wondering if i can claim head of household on this year tax (2007)? My husband and i just got married in April 2007 and he hasn't been working due to back problems. I've been supporting him for the past 2 years, plus, I pay for everything. For what I know - a lot of people are saying that you can only claim head of household if (1) you single and living on your own or (2) single w/ a child...so can someone help me out! thanks in advance!
2007-11-15 03:53:47 · 10 answers · asked by daisy 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
You are married, not head of household. There are no advantages to head of household over married filing jointly. Talk to a tax professional about it.
Head of Household is the way IRS refers to what we normally call "single parent"; single and living on your own is "single", then your other choices are married filing separately and married filing jointly.
If he's not working, there's probably no good reason to file separately as that will increase your tax burden. Unless someone has a lien against him that is going to interdict your refund and even then you can file for injured spouse protection....
Head of Household "this filing status is for unmarried individuals who provide a home for certain other persons..." [we call some of these Single Moms] That's pretty clear I think - it says "unmarried individuals" which means people who aren't married, people who are married are "married". There are some exceptions like if you're married to an illegal alien but most married people are married. (pages 12-13, 1040 Instructions; online at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf)
careful what advice you take from people on YahooAnswers about issues that could cost you lots of money or time in jail for tax fraud. See a tax professional - making a mistake in your taxes will cost you money. Sometimes a lot of money.
Did I mention, see a tax professional...
2007-11-15 04:01:52 · answer #1 · answered by CoachT 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If your husband has no taxable income then your best filing status would probably be as Married Filing Jointly. This status gives you the same standard deduction as Head of Household but allows you to take the personal exemption for each of you. The only possible circumstance that I can think of to where this would not be the most advantageous would be if he were receiving Social Security benefits and you have a LARGE personal income and his little SS Disability payment would push you into a higher bracket. Again, this would be a rare situation and if you are making the kind of money to make that an issue, I would suggest letting your accountant handle the tax thing.
The whole head of household filing status was developed with the purpose of making taxes more equitable to single parents, allowing them the same standard deduction as a married couple.
2007-11-15 12:07:44 · answer #2 · answered by Jim 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, you can't claim head of household. But you can file a joint return, even if you are the only one bringing in income. This actually is a better deal for you than if you could file head of household - you'll pay less in tax.
And by the way, if you were single and living by yourself, you couldn't claim head of household either unless you were providing a separate household for a dependent parent.
2007-11-15 12:05:30 · answer #3 · answered by Judy 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Oh brother! The clueless are out in force today!
If you are married and living with your spouse you can NEVER file as Head of Household! Never mind the fact that you'd pay HIGHER taxes if you did!
(There are exceptions that allow a married individual to file as HoH but you must have not lived with your spouse for the entire last half of the year and must be providing a home for your minor dependent child(ren) who live with you. This clearly is not the case here, I only mention it in passing.)
If you are married your choices are Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately. PERIOD. You will normally pay less tax filing jointly. And if only one of you has income you will ALWAYS pay less tax filing jointly.
Note to Jim: Nice try, but if you file a separate return, SS payments are fully taxable. There is no excluded amount.
2007-11-15 12:06:53 · answer #4 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, you must claim married even though only one of you had income.
2007-11-15 11:57:14 · answer #5 · answered by ebosgramma 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think my mom claims head of household and she is married and all of her children are out of the house.
2007-11-15 11:57:22 · answer #6 · answered by KB 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋
I would believe you can claim head of household if you are the sole support of your family ,no matter what your sex.As it gets closer to tax time you will be able to ask the tax people in your community and that is the surest way to know.
2007-11-15 12:02:05 · answer #7 · answered by jean s 2 · 0⤊ 6⤋
I'm pretty sure you can claim head of household if you're married and/or have a dependant, wether that dependant is your husband or a child...
2007-11-15 11:57:14 · answer #8 · answered by mama shannon 3 · 0⤊ 6⤋
yup but you cant do it till next year,, as long as the spouse doesnt work, you can claim head of household,
www.irs.com, they dont bite, I use their software it is free, you pay for state,,
2007-11-15 11:57:31 · answer #9 · answered by rich2481 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
yes you can.
2007-11-15 11:57:01 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 6⤋