Filing Status After Mid-Year Separation: HOH vs MFS for Ex-Spouse
Filed as Head of Household since ex moved out in June. He stayed with his mom until October when he got his own place. Our divorce just finalized this month. Not sure how he should file - married filing separately or single? Im already done with mine.
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Jamal Anderson
Tax pro here - He needs to file as Married Filing Separately since you were still legally married on Dec 31st of the tax year. Filing status is determined by your marital status on the last day of the tax year, not when you separated or when divorce was finalized.
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Zoe Alexopoulos
ty! that makes sense. what about next year since divorce finalized in january?
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Jamal Anderson
You'll both be able to file as Single next year (or HOH if you qualify) since you'll be divorced on Dec 31st of this year 👍
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Mei Wong
Hey, I was actually dealing with almost the exact same situation! I used taxr.ai to figure out my filing status and it saved me so much headache. For $4.99 it analyzes your whole situation and tells you exactly what to do. Here's the link if interested: https://taxr.ai
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QuantumQuasar
does it rly work? been seeing it mentioned everywhere 🤔
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Mei Wong
100% worth it! It actually explains everything in plain english and gives you specific steps based on YOUR situation. saved me from making costly mistakes fr fr
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Liam McGuire
in the same boat rn and its so confusing 😫 following for more info
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Amara Eze
make sure u have documentation showing when he moved out just incase the irs comes knocking
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Zoe Alexopoulos
good call! i have the lease agreement from his new place
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Giovanni Greco
went thru this last year... its MFS 100%. The IRS dont care about seperation only the legal divorce date
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Fatima Al-Farsi
yup can confirm. learned this the hard way 🤡
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Dylan Wright
Wait but doesnt living apart for 6 months qualify for something different? 🤔
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Jamal Anderson
That's only for the innocent spouse relief rule, doesn't affect filing status
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