<prompt> Human: Im marrying my finance this NYE - were a blended family each supporting our own dependents, so we both currently file as HoH.As were getting married on the last day of the year - do we file as married next year or as single? Are there rules around how long you need to be married for?And lastly - are there any specific advantages in filing one way or the other? I earn more than he does, if we file as married, should I assume HoH or should he?Thanks in advance for any advice or expertise!  <response>: If you are married as of December 31st 2017, then it is the same to the IRS as if you married on January 1st, 2017.And lastly - are there any specific advantages in filing one way or the other? I earn more than he does, if we file as married, should I assume HoH or should he?If you are married, you both have to file as married. Head of Household is a designation for single people only.Your choices becomes to file as Married Filing Jointly MFJ or Married Filing Separately MFS. It is almost always advantageous to file as MFJ over MFS. Exceptions include if one of you has significant student loans on an IBR plan. 