What is Filing Status?
Definition Filing status is the category, such as single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or qualifying surviving spouse, that determines your tax rates, standard deduction, and eligibility for many benefits. Your status generally depends on your marital situation and household on the last day of the year. Some taxpayers qualify for more than one and can choose the most favorable.
The right status can change a client's tax significantly, and situations like separation or a dependent parent make choosing correctly a real planning decision.