KRB
Level 2

I am confused by the IRS instructions for definition of a single individual. It states if you are legally separated under your state law under a decree of divorce or separate maintenance. But then it says if the divorce is not final as of the end of 2019 you cannot check single. The two statements seem to contradict each other. In the past I always used single as the filing status rather than married filing separately if the couple was legally separated. I even used the IRS interactive filing status tool and it came up as single. It seems it all comes down too the definition of legally separated. Any advice?

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