Today TaxMama hears from Orla in Colorado. “I have a friend who has provided full support for his girl friend who is unemployed, and her daughter who is 18 and in high school. They both have lived with him for the full year. He should be able to file head of household but can he claim them as dependents?”
Dear Orla,
Actually, you have it a bit backwards.
He can claim them as dependents. But he cannot use head of household status.
They don’t qualify as either family or qualified relatives for HOH. Sorry.
BUT, since they are dependents, he can use medical deductions, education expenses, etc.
[See working links in the Resource Box below]HOH rules
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p17/ch02.html
Qualifying Person
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p17/ch02.html
And remember, you can find answers to all kinds of questions about being head of household and other tax issues, free. Where? Where else? At TaxMama.com.
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- IRS Publication 17 :: Head of Household rules
- IRS Publication 17 :: Who Qualifies for Head of Household
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