Final answer:
Butch and Minerva, who divorced in December 2017 but were married for more than half the year, are considered married for tax purposes in 2017, which affects their filing status and potential tax benefits or obligations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the question is tax filing status concerning individuals who were married for a portion of the year but got divorced before its end. In the context of the tax year 2017, Butch and Minerva, who divorced in December of 2017, are considered married for the entirety of that tax year if they were married for more than half of it. This means they may have the option to file a joint tax return for 2017. Tax laws regarding marital status can affect which filing status you are eligible to use and could have implications for your tax obligations and benefits.