What Is Filing Status?
Filing status is a category that defines the type of tax return form a taxpayer must use when filing their taxes. Filing status is closely tied to marital status.
Understanding Filing Status
The filing status is important because an individual's tax bracket (and, therefore, the amount they must pay) is determined by marital status, the number of children, occupation, and several other factors. You must file your status honestly, or it will be considered fraudulent and penalties will be assessed.
For federal income tax purposes, a taxpayer falls into one of five categories: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) with dependent children.
Single Filer
A single filer is a taxpayer that is unmarried, divorced, a registered domestic partner, or legally separated according to state law as of the last day of the tax year. The head of a household or a person who is widowed may not fall under the "single" category for tax purposes. Single filers have lower income limits for most exemptions.
| For Tax Year 2022 and 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax Rate | Income Range for Single Taxpayer for 2022 | Income Range for Single Taxpayer for 2023 |
| 10% | $0-$10,275 | $0-$11,000 |
| 12% | $10,276-$41,775 | $11,001-$44,725 |
| 22% | $41,776-$89,075 | $44,726-95,375 |
| 24% | $89,076-$170,050 | $95,376-$182,100 |
| 32% | $170,051-$215,950 | $182,101- $231,250 |
| 35% | $215,951-$539,900 | $231,251 - $578,125 |
| 37% | Over $539,900 | Over $578,125 |
| Standard Deduction | $12,950 | $13,850 |
Married Person Filing Jointly or Surviving Spouse
An individual that is married by the end of the tax year can file tax returns jointly with their spouse. When filing under married filing jointly status, couples can record their respective incomes, exemptions, and deductions on the same tax return. A joint tax return often provides a bigger tax refund or a lower tax liability.
| For Tax Years 2022 and 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax Rate | Income Range for Taxpayer who is Married Filing Jointly in 2022 | Income Range for Taxpayers Who Are Married Filing Jointly in 2023 |
| 10% | $0-$20,550 | $0-$22,000 |
| 12% | $20,551-$83,550 | $22,001-$89,450 |
| 22% | $83,551-$178,150 | $89,451-$190,750 |
| 24% | $178,151-$340,100 | $190,751-$364,200 |
| 32% | $340,101-$431,900 | $364,201-$462,500 |
| 35% | $431,901-$647,850 | $462,500-$693,750 |
| 37% | Over $647,850 | Over $693,751 |
| Standard Deduction | $25,900 | $27,700 |
Married filing jointly is best if only one spouse has a significant income. If both spouses work and the income and itemized deductions are large and very unequal, it may be more advantageous to file separately.
Head of Household
A head of household is a single or unmarried taxpayer who pays at least 50% of the costs of supporting their household and lives with other qualifying family members for whom they provide support for more than half of the year.
This means that the taxpayer must have paid more than half of the total household bills, including rent or mortgage, utility bills, insurance, property taxes, groceries, repairs, and other common household expenses. Some examples of qualifying family members include a dependent child, grandchild, sibling, grandparent, or anyone else you can claim as an exemption.
A head of household benefits from a lower tax rate.
| For Tax Years 2022 and 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax Rate | Income Range for Taxpayer filing as the Head of Household for 2022 | Income Range for Taxpayer filing as Head of Household for 2023 |
| 10% | $0-$14,650 | $0-$15,700 |
| 12% | $14,651-$55,900 | $15,701-$59,850 |
| 22% | $55,901-$89,050 | $59,851-$95,350 |
| 24% | $89,051-$170,050 | $95,351-$182,100 |
| 32% | $170,051-$215,950 | $182,101-$231,250 |
| 35% | $215,951-$539,900 | $$231,251-$578,100 |
| 37% | Over $539,900 | Over $578,101 |
| Standard Deduction | $19,400 | $20,800 |
Qualifying Widow(er) With Dependent Child
During the year in which a spouse dies, the surviving spouse can typically use the joint filing status. For the two tax years following the year of a spouse's death, the surviving spouse can file as a qualifying surviving spouse. While the surviving spouse cannot continue to claim an exemption for the deceased spouse, they may claim the standard deduction for a married couple filing jointly.
The tax bracket and income range for a surviving spouse is the same as that for married filing jointly.
Article Sources
Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in oureditorial policy.
Internal Revenue Service. "Tax Forms and Instructions 2022," Pages 6-8 and 14.
Internal Revenue Service. "Choosing the Correct Filing Status."
Internal Revenue Service. "Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Registered Domestic Partners and Individuals in Civil Unions."
Internal Revenue Service. "Publication 501: Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information," Pages 5-10.
Internal Revenue Service. "IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023."
Internal Revenue Service. "Rev. Proc. 2022-38." Page 6.
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Related Terms
Single Filer: Overview, Pros and Cons
Single is one of the five tax-filing statuses the IRS recognizes. Single filers are unmarried and do not qualify for any other filing status.
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Married Filing Separately Explained: How It Works and Its Benefits
Married filing separately is a tax status for couples who choose to record their incomes, exemptions, and deductions on separate tax returns.
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Married Filing Jointly: Definition, Advantages, and Disadvantages
Married filing jointly is an income tax filing status that allows a couple to file a single return that reports their combined income.
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Standard Deduction in Taxes and How It's Calculated
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Who Is a Qualifying Widower or Widow? Tax Filing Status Explained
Qualified widow or widower is a tax-filing status that allows a surviving spouse touse the married filing jointly tax rates on an individual return.
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Withholding: Definition, Tax Rules, Federal vs. State
A withholding is the portion of an employee's wages that is sent directly to government tax authorities as payment of estimated taxes.
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