Home Address for 1040 while traveling and subletting?

Question

I've been subletting my co-op in New York since August 2010 while I travel.  I have been using my parents' address, with the same zip code in New York, as my mailing address during that time period.  I changed all official contact information that I could think of, including my drivers license, to my parents' address.  I'm not sure what I'm best off putting down as my home address on my 1040.

If I use the address of my co-op, do I even need to address the sublet on the 1040?  Would not doing so affect the status of the people who are subletting from me?  Or would it be ill-advised to use that address at all, since I have been using my parents' address as my mailing address since August?

If I use my parents' address, will that affect their filing status?  Can two people at the same address both file as "head of household"?

Thanks!

Judy · Accepted Answer

Sounds like using your parents' address would be as good as anything.

You say "your parents" which sounds like they're married and living together, so they wouldn't legally be able to file as HofH anyway, so your last question doesn't matter.  But no, your using their address on your return doesn't affect them.

StephenWeinstein · Answer

Only a person who either pays over 1/2 the cost of keeping up a household in which at least one of that person's dependents lives can file as head of household.  Since you (1) have no dependents, and (2) did not pay for the cost of keeping up a household in which anyone else lives, you cannot file as head of household using any address.

tro · Answer

use the address at which you can be contacted by IRS
usually two heads of household at the same address does cause an interest, but you are more than able to explain the reason

Home Address for 1040 while traveling and subletting?

3 Answers