Filing status finder
Which filing status fits you: Single, Head of Household, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately or Qualifying Surviving Spouse? Answer a few questions to see your likely federal filing status and its standard deduction.
An estimate, not tax advice. This follows the general rules in IRS Publication 501. Your situation may have details it does not cover. Confirm with a qualified tax professional or the IRS before you file. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
The five filing statuses
- Single. Unmarried, divorced or legally separated on December 31, and no other status fits.
- Married Filing Jointly. Married on December 31 (or your spouse died during the year), and you both agree to file one return.
- Married Filing Separately. Married, and each spouse files their own return. Often more tax, and some credits are not allowed.
- Head of Household. Unmarried or “considered unmarried” on December 31, you paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home, and a qualifying person lived with you for more than half the year (a dependent parent may live elsewhere).
- Qualifying Surviving Spouse. Your spouse died in one of the 2 previous years, you did not remarry, and you kept up a home for a dependent child who lived with you all year.
Standard deduction by filing status
| Filing status | Tax year 2025 | Tax year 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Single or Married Filing Separately | $15,750 | $16,100 |
| Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Surviving Spouse | $31,500 | $32,200 |
| Head of Household | $23,625 | $24,150 |
Higher if you or your spouse are 65 or older or blind. Lower if someone else can claim you as a dependent. Nonresident aliens generally cannot take the standard deduction.
On a visa or new to the U.S.?
If you were a nonresident alien for any part of the year, different rules apply: you file Form 1040-NR for a nonresident year, cannot file jointly or as Head of Household, and generally get no standard deduction. Check your status first with our substantial presence test calculator.
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