How to File as Head of Household After a Divorce

 Posted on January 18,2022 in Illinois Divorce

The Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, recently announced that tax season will commence on January 24, 2022. With tax season right around the corner, you may be wondering what you can expect when filing taxes after a divorce. Today, we are going to discuss the ways by which a lawyer can assist you as you set out to file as head of household after a divorce. 

What Does it Mean To Be the Head of the Household? 

Many people assume that filing as head of household means that you were the breadwinner. While this is not necessarily untrue, the IRS defines the head of household filing status in a much more detailed way. In order to file as head of household, the IRS takes the following details into consideration: 

• You are legally either a U.S. citizen or resident. 

• You were single at some point in the following year. 

• You were responsible for at least one dependent. 

• You provided the majority of the income for yourself and the dependent.

• The dependent lived with you for more than half of the year. 

But what if you were not the head of the household for the entire year? Or what happens if the divorce was not finalized prior to the start of the new year? Additionally, can you claim a child as a dependent if the child is not biologically yours? These are only three of the many questions that may arise when sitting down to file your taxes under the status of head of household.  

How a Divorce Lawyer Who Knows Tax Law Can Help You

Taxes can be confusing in general, but the base level of complexities can become even more complicated when filing taxes for a year in which you filed for divorce. For people who are planning to file as the head of the household, all of the tax-related requirements and specifications can be a lot to tackle on your own. 

Hiring a divorce lawyer who also has experience handling tax concerns is a great way to gain legal guidance with tax issues. Instead of playing a guessing game and hoping that you are filing under the appropriate tax status, an attorney with experience in these matters can provide you with reassurance that your tax filing status is correct. 

Taxes are one of the many legal matters that you do not want to be unsure about because the consequences for filing incorrectly can be dire. Instead of trial-and-erroring your way through the tax filing process, retain a lawyer with experience managing taxes during or after a divorce. 

Call a St. Charles Divorce Attorney Today 

Tax season begins on January 24, 2022. While taxes are not due until April 18, 2022, it is wise to not wait until the evening of April 17 to start filing your taxes. Like all legal matters, it is in your best interest to retain a lawyer and receive knowledgeable advice about how to proceed when filing as head of household after getting a divorce. For assistance with your taxes this year, reach out to Weiler & Associates, Inc. by calling 630-331-9110 at your earliest convenience to meet with Kane County family law attorneys. 

Source:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2022-tax-filing-season-begins-jan-24-irs-outlines-refund-timing-and-what-to-expect-in-advance-of-april-18-tax-deadline