What filing status should I use after a divorce?
If you are divorced or legally separated on or before December 31, 2025, you are considered to be unmarried the whole year. The best filing status is Head of Household if you qualify. You usually qualify for Head of Household if you have a child or dependent who lives with you for more than half the year, even if your ex-spouse claims your child as a dependent on his or her tax return. Otherwise, you would file as Single.
If you are still married on December 31, 2025, you will either file as Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately. Married Filing Jointly almost always gives you an overall bigger refund. However, if you are worried that your ex-spouse is cheating on the tax return or if you owe money to the IRS on the tax return and you don't think your ex-spouse will pay his or her half of the taxes owed, you might consider filing as Married Filing Separately.
If you are still married on December 31, 2025, you will either file as Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately. Married Filing Jointly almost always gives you an overall bigger refund. However, if you are worried that your ex-spouse is cheating on the tax return or if you owe money to the IRS on the tax return and you don't think your ex-spouse will pay his or her half of the taxes owed, you might consider filing as Married Filing Separately.
