HOW DO YOU FILE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD FOR FEDERAL AND SINGLE FOR CALIFORNIA?

[TaxMonkey · Accepted solution]

I doubt you can, you would have to prepare 2 returns.  I also am having a hard time thinking of a reason to.  Care to share?

[itonewbie]

CA generally requires federal filing status to be used with limited exceptions.  Not sure how the exceptions could be met where one could file HoH for federal but Single for CA.

[TaxGuyBill]

I'm not a Californian, so I could be completely wrong, but I seem to remember that California requires the person to live with you, and does not accept the Federal rule that a parent can live elsewhere.

[itonewbie]

CA rules for parents/step-parents who live apart are the same as federal though.

[TaxGuyBill]

I guess I was wrong about that.  :smile:

[itonewbie]

With CA, anything is possible though. :joy:

[George4Tacks]

https://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/Filing-status-information.shtml

https://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/hoh/com-reasons.shtml would indicate why you might be Single for CA, but I doubt that the same reason would not apply to Fed.