Wife had an affair and walked out the door. Mid July, sadly, but I can still qualify for Head-of-Household status I believe. We have two kids, and, according to the IRS website, I am entitled to claim them both.

Thing is, I just discovered my employer did not withhold ANY federal income tax. I only earned like $22k, but still. Plus I had a few W9 contract gig things I made some cash from that I will owe for.

Do I try to trick her into filing jointly with me one last time so I get the benefit of her meager income (she worked for one month and made maybe $1000) plus the joint filing status to reduce my tax obligation? Or do I just try to immediately jump on filing HOH to prevent her from filing first and claiming the kids?