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Taxation and Regulation/Blueprint/4.D

Filing status and dependents

Area 4: Federal Taxation of Individuals (22-32%)

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Topics

  • Filing status determination
  • Dependency tests and qualifying individuals

Lessons

  • Filing Status and Dependents

Study Frameworks

Filing Status Determination

Is the taxpayer married on December 31 of the tax year?
Yes
Does the taxpayer want to file jointly with the spouse?
Yes
Married Filing Jointly (MFJ) — $30,750 standard deduction (2026); joint and several liability
No
Did the taxpayer live apart from the spouse for the last 6 months of the year, maintain a home for a qualifying child, and file separately?
Yes
Head of Household (considered unmarried) — $23,100 standard deduction (2026)
No
Married Filing Separately (MFS) — $15,375 standard deduction (2026); if one spouse itemizes, the other must also itemize
No
Did the taxpayer's spouse die in one of the two prior tax years, and does the taxpayer maintain a home for a dependent child?
Yes
Qualifying Surviving Spouse (QSS) — $30,750 standard deduction (2026); available for 2 years after year of death
No
Does the taxpayer pay more than half the cost of a home for a qualifying person (child, parent, or qualifying relative)?
Yes
Head of Household (HOH) — $23,100 standard deduction (2026); parent need not live with taxpayer
No
Single — $15,375 standard deduction (2026)

Filing Status — Standard Deduction (2026)

Filing StatusStandard DeductionAdditional (Age 65+ / Blind)
Single$15,000$2,000 each
Married Filing Jointly$30,000$1,600 each
Married Filing Separately$15,000$1,600 each
Head of Household$22,500$2,000 each

Filing Status — Requirements and Benefits (2026)

Filing StatusKey RequirementStandard DeductionBest For
SingleUnmarried on Dec 31, not HOH/QSS eligible$15,375Unmarried with no qualifying person
MFJMarried on Dec 31; both agree to file jointly$30,750Most married couples (widest brackets)
MFSMarried on Dec 31; files separate return$15,375Limiting liability; high medical deductions
HOHUnmarried + >50% home costs + qualifying person$23,100Unmarried parent or caretaker
QSSSpouse died in prior 2 years + dependent child at home$30,750Recent widow(er) with dependent child

Dependency Tests — Qualifying Child vs. Qualifying Relative

TestQualifying ChildQualifying Relative
RelationshipSon, daughter, sibling, step/foster, or their descendantsRelated person OR member of household for full year
AgeUnder 19 (or under 24 if full-time student; any age if disabled)No age requirement
ResidencyLived with taxpayer more than half the yearRelationship OR lived with taxpayer full year
SupportChild did NOT provide more than half own supportTaxpayer provided MORE than 50% of support
Gross incomeNo gross income testPerson’s gross income < $5,200 (2026)
Joint returnCannot file joint return (with exceptions)Cannot file joint return (with exceptions)
CitizenshipU.S. citizen/national/resident or Canada/Mexico residentU.S. citizen/national/resident or Canada/Mexico resident
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