What Is Head of Household?

Head of Household (HOH) is a filing status for unmarried people who pay more than half the cost of a home for a qualifying child or relative. It gives you a bigger standard deduction and lower tax rates than filing as Single. To qualify, you must have been considered unmarried on December 31 and have a qualifying child or dependent living with you. Many single parents qualify for this status without realizing it. Using the wrong status can mean paying more taxes than you should.