Which filing status should I use?

The filing status that you can use mainly depends on if you're married, have a child, or have a deceased spouse.

Can I use the Married Filing Jointly filing status?

Can I use the Head of Household filing status?

Can I use the Single filing status?

Can I use the Married Filing Separately filing status?

Can I use the Qualifying Surviving Spouse filing status?

If you don't know which filing status you should use, you can choose, I'm not sure - help me decide on the Filing Status screen and we'll help you figure it out. Or you can use the IRS What is my filing status?  interactive assistant instead.

Which filing status gives you the biggest refund?
More information about filing status