What is a "qualifying person" for Head of Household?

Questions surrounding HOH explained

Updated over a week ago


โ€‹This article was updated for Tax Year 2023, last edited on December 21st, 2023.

A qualifying person is either a qualifying child or qualifying relative who the taxpayer can claim as a dependent.

  • If the person is your qualifying child (such as a son, daughter, or grandchild who lived with you more than half the year and meets certain other tests) and the child is single

  • If the person is your qualifying child (such as a son, daughter, or grandchild who lived with you more than half the year and meets certain other tests) and the child is married and you can claim the child as a dependent

  • If the person is your qualifying relative who is your father or mother and you can claim your parent as a dependent

  • If the person is your qualifying relative other than your father or mother (such as a grandparent, brother, or sister who meets certain tests) and your relative lived with you more than half the year, and your relative is related to you in one of the ways listed under Relatives who don't have to live with you, later, and you can claim your relative as a dependent

More information can be found under Table 4 of Publication 501. You can learn more about the Head of Household status in this article.

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