Anyone you claim on your income tax return for a given tax year is considered a dependent. Generally dependents are your spouse or domestic partner and/or any kids under 26 years old. A child can be biological, legally adopted, or a stepchild.

(Entry 1 of 2) 1a : the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children also : any of various social units differing from but regarded as equivalent to the traditional family a single-parent family.

A household includes the tax filer and any spouse or tax dependents. Your spouse and tax dependents should be included even if they aren’t applying for health insurance. Don’t include anyone you aren’t claiming as a dependent on your taxes.

To claim head-of-household status, you must be legally single, pay more than half of household expenses and have either a qualified dependent living with you for at least half the year or a parent for whom you pay more than half their living arrangements.

Head of household is a filing status for single or unmarried taxpayers who have maintained a home for a qualifying person, such as a child or relative. This filing status provides a larger standard deduction and more generous tax rates for calculating federal income tax than the Single filing status.

Head of household rules dictate that you can file as head of household even if you don’t claim your child as a dependent on your return. You have to qualify for head of household status. There is only one arrangement where more than one taxpayer can claim child-related benefits for the same child.

For IRS purposes, a head of household is generally an unmarried taxpayer who has dependents and paid for more than half the costs of the home. This tax filing status commonly includes single parents and divorced or legally separated parents (by the last day of the year) with custody.

Separate tax returns may give you a higher tax with a higher tax rate. The standard deduction for separate filers is far lower than that offered to joint filers. In 2020, married filing separately taxpayers only receive a standard deduction of $12,400 compared to the $24,800 offered to those who filed jointly.

You earn more credits and deductions. If you’re married, you’re only eligible for certain tax breaks if you file a joint return. Couples who file separately lose the opportunity to claim the Earned Income Credit, the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit for education expenses.

Couples in this situation are eligible for the full stimulus payment, which is worth up to $1,400 per person — but they may get the money in two separate payments, the IRS said in a statement sent to CNN.