Lacy is divorced and the custodial parent of a three-year-old girl named Bailey. Lacy and Bailey live with Lacy’s parents, who pay all the costs of maintaining the household (such as mortgage, property taxes, and food). Lacy pays for Bailey’s clothing, entertainment, and health insurance costs. These costs comprised only a small part of the total costs of maintaining the household. Lacy does not qualify as her parents’ dependent.
a) Determine the appropriate filing status for Lacy.
b) What if Lacy lived in her own home and provided all the costs of maintaining the household?