Taxes – the never-ending saga of adulting that most of us dread. As mentioned in a previous tax article, it's not the most exciting task to tackle. But alas, it's a necessary one.
If you're here, it's likely because you're trying to figure out how to choose a tax filing status, a decision that can significantly impact how much you owe in taxes, what credits you qualify for, and whether you receive a refund.
Whether you're single or married, your marital status on the last day of the tax year typically determines your tax filing status for the entire year.
Let’s take a fresh look at the different tax filing statuses, how they work, and when professional help may make sense.
how do i know my filing status?
There are five different statuses you can file – “Single,” “Head of Household,” “Qualifying Widow(er),” “Married Filing Jointly,” or “Married Filing Separately". Each tax filing status has its own qualifications, benefits, and limitations. Choosing the correct one matters.
You’ll file Single if you were unmarried, divorced, or legally separated, or if your spouse passed away more than two years ago and you don’t qualify for another filing status.
Standard deduction (2025 tax year): $15,750
Additional deduction may apply if you are age 65 or older or blind.
At a glance:
- Who qualifies: Unmarried with no qualifying dependents
- Key benefit: Simple filing
- Common mistake: Filing Single when you may qualify for Head of Household
You may qualify as Head of Household if you’re unmarried and supported a qualifying dependent who lived with you for more than half the year.
If your dependent is a relative (such as a parent), you must have paid more than half the cost of maintaining their household. Child dependents must generally be under age 19 (or under 24 if a full-time student).
Standard deduction (2025 tax year): $23,625
At a glance:
You may qualify as a Qualifying Widow(er) if:
- Your spouse passed away within the last two years
- You have a qualifying dependent child
- You have not remarried
This status allows you to claim the same standard deduction as Married Filing Jointly, but only for two years after your spouse’s death.
Standard deduction (2025 tax year): $31,500
At a glance:
- Who qualifies: Widowed taxpayers with a dependent child
- Key benefit: Highest standard deduction available
- Common mistake: Continuing to use this status after the two-year limit
Most married couples choose Married Filing Jointly because it often provides the most tax benefits.
Standard deduction (2025 tax year): $31,500.
Benefits may include access to credits such as:
- Earned Income Credit
- Child and Dependent Care Credit
- Education credits
That said, when you file jointly, both spouses are fully responsible for the entire tax bill, even if one spouse earned most of the income.
At a glance:
- Who qualifies: Married couples filing together
- Key benefit: Access to more credits and lower tax rates
- Common mistake: Filing jointly without understanding shared liability
what IF I GOT MARRIED IN 2025?
If you just got married on or before December 31, 2025… congrats! There are a few things you should check off the list to ensure your paperwork and taxes are filed correctly.
- Notify the IRS of any address changes. You can notify them by using Form 8822.
- Tell your employer if you moved. This is important to make sure your W-2 is correct and is sent to the right address.
- Report any name changes. If you took your spouse’s last name, there are a few more hoops to jump through. Since your Social Security number needs to match the name on your tax forms, make sure you tell the Social Security Administration as soon as your name changes by using the Form SS-5. The IRS will hold your tax refund until you resolve this issue.
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Married Filing Separately
Spouses filing separately receive a standard deduction of $15,750 for the 2025 tax year,
Although Married Filing Separately (MFS) typically provides fewer tax benefits, it may be appropriate in certain situations, such as:
- Separate responsibility: One spouse doesn’t want to share full liability for the taxes on a joint return.
- Unequal outcomes: One spouse owes taxes while the other is due a refund.
- Separation or pending divorce: Spouses are separated but not yet divorced as of December 31.
If you file separately, you must coordinate with your spouse to determine who will claim dependents and whether to take the standard deduction or itemize (both must use the same method).
When filing separately, it’s also important to remember you can’t claim several tax credits, including:
- Tuition and Fees Deduction
- Credit for the Elderly and Disabled
- Child and Dependent Care Credit
- Earned Income Credit
- American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning educational credits
However, there are definitely some instances where you would want to file separately for tax-saving benefits. For more information, take a look at this oldie-but-goodie TurboTax blog post.
QUICK TIP: In some cases, choosing an incorrect filing status can result in an audit. If you have questions about which is the correct filing status for your situation, contact a tax professional for help.
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do i get professional help?
I’m glad you asked! There are obviously a lot of resources available and organizations that provide tax help, but generally, there are two standard routes to take:
Think TurboTax, H&R Block, Tax Act. As a millennial, the fact I can get help filing my taxes with TurboTax without having to talk to someone and doing it all online is magical. I can only personally speak to my experience with TurboTax, but it’s all plug-and-play and very user-friendly. It takes you step-by-step through everything you’ll need to file and you simply input the numbers from your tax forms as needed.
Using one of these software providers will generally cost you, but not too much. You can read about the best Tax Software for 2026 with comparisons here.
QUICK TIP: If you receive Skyla emails, have been on our website, or visited one of our social channels, you’d know we have a partnership with TurboTax and H&R Block that provides you with a discount when you do your taxes with them. Check it out >
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Tax software is great for standard tax filing, but when you want to get into more of the tax planning sector, finding a tax professional is the way to go.
Some of the common life events that could happen and would have you searching for a tax professional are:
- You have or are starting a small business.
- You have or are buying rental property.
- You’d like to begin planning for future generations (estate planning).
- You have material foreign income.
- You are, or in the past, have been subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT)
- When you’re making a big life change, such as retiring or buying into a partnership.
- You’re unsure whether to accelerate or postpone income.
- You have restricted stock or employee stock options.
- You’re not sure how much to withhold from your paycheck or you’re considering paying in quarterly estimates.
do you know your filing status now? 
Now that you know the different filing statuses, do you know which one fits your situation? The IRS has tools and systems to catch many common filing errors. If you do make a mistake, you can usually correct it by filing an amended return using Form 1040-X. Learn more about this form here>.
Want to know more about filing your 2025 taxes? Here's what you need to know
still unsure?
If you’re still having trouble trying to determine how you should file, check out this IRS interactive tool on how you should file (Psst... it should take about 5 minutes.)
Taxes can be confusing, that's why there are professionals who are willing and able to help. Contact a tax professional if you have any doubts or questions about your taxes.
And, if you're looking for a sweet Tax Software discount, check out Skyla's partnership with TurboTax and H&R Block!
