Can I File as Head of Household if I'm Not Married?

Yes — Head of Household is a filing status for unmarried people who pay more than half the cost of keeping up a home for a qualifying person, such as a child or dependent parent, for more than half the year. The standard deduction for Head of Household ($21,900 in 2024) is higher than for single filers ($14,600), and the tax brackets are more favorable. You must be unmarried (or legally separated) as of December 31 of the tax year. Incorrectly filing as Head of Household when you don't qualify is one of the more common errors the IRS flags — you must have a qualifying person and pay more than half the home costs.