Can I claim Head of Household as a Single Parent even though the child doesn't live with me?

Can I claim head of household as a single parent even though the child doesn't live with me? The child is a qualifying child and I'm claiming the child as a dependent as per agreement but the child doesn't live with me.Can I claim Head of Household as a Single Parent even though the child doesn't live with me?
2 is technically correct. However, if the dependant person is away temporarily he/she is still considered as living with you. ie: student away at school.Can I claim Head of Household as a Single Parent even though the child doesn't live with me?
I disagree with the second answer, if the child doesn't live with you but you are the main provider for that child then yes you may claim to be HOH. My father was claiming HOH before we came from Mexico(legally) because he was the main supporter for the family even-though we were not living here with him. He had to show immigration that he was supporting us and would continue to once we came here so he always did his taxes on time and he was considered HOH.


If you still have questions go to a tax preparer...yes they charge but you'll get all your questions answered.


Good Luck
NOPE. Single with a dependent. You get the dependency exemption ($3500), but only filing status of Single. The custodial parent can file HOH and can even get EIC, although you take dependency exemption.
Nope. One of the main requirements of filing HOH is that the child must live with you more than half the year:





http://www.irs.gov/publications/p501/ar0鈥?/a>
No, To claim Head of Household you must be the single support of a dependent in your home.





Leslie
As long as you have a qualified dependent, then you can claim HOH. Who the child actually lives with is irrelevant. Your son qualifies as a dependent for HOH purposes.