2006-09-15 13:15:08 · 18 answers · asked by foot 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
While I agree that "No" is generally the correct answer, it would depend upon what state you live in and whether your state is a Common-Law state. If you are a Common-Law state than you can claim each other if you are in line with the guidelines for commonlaw marriages.
2006-09-15 13:22:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
First of all you don't claim anything on a W-2 form as that is a form completed by your employer at the end of the year to report your total income. You may be thinking of the W-4 form on which you tell your employer what your marital status and the number of allowances that should be use to calculate your withholding. If you are not "married" you should use "single" on your W-4 form. Unless you are to be married by December 31 doing otherwise would put you in the position of not having enough withholding taken out at the end of the year. That could result in you having a large amount of tax due and paying a penalty.
2006-09-15 13:59:22 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the first place, you don't claim exemptions on a W-2. That's the form you get after the end of the year that shows your earnings for the year.
I think you mean a W-4. I don't think claiming extra exemptions is any real problem, because it does not affect your actual tax liability at the end of the year. It affects only what is withheld, but come April 15, your tax bill is what it is, regardless of what's been withheld. Your withholding should approximate your tax liability.
I assume you know that when you file your tax return, your live-in gf is not a legal deduction.
2006-09-15 13:26:20 · answer #3 · answered by Carlos R 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can claim anything you want to for tax deduction purposes. However, you will have to actually pay taxes as if you are not married. So, if you claim married status when you are not married, then you will have less deducted from your pay check--BUT you will be required to pay the taxes anyway. This is a bad idea. You can easily end up owing the federal government more money with penalities etc. SO, THE ANSWER IS: YES YOU CAN DO IT--BUT DON'T.
2006-09-15 13:24:50 · answer #4 · answered by Dan S 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can claim whatever you want on your W2 at work, that only makes a difference in the witholding for taxes, but come Tax season, if you don't have a marriage certificate, you have to put "single" on your tax return, because you are only roomates in the eyes of the law.
2006-09-15 13:24:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Claiming married on your W2 only effects what is taken out of your pay check. Just make sure you claim single on your tax return.
2006-09-15 13:21:28 · answer #6 · answered by Skypilot49 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If by changing anything on the W4 (it is a W4 not W2 at work) causes not enough money to be withheld there will be a penalty at tax time. The IRS does not see the W4, only the employer.
2006-09-15 13:26:27 · answer #7 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That would depend on the state in Florida if a couple live together for seven years it's is common law and they are legally considered married
2006-09-15 13:24:00 · answer #8 · answered by conundrum_dragon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
as has been stated by the more intelligent ones (you know who you are), w-4 only means how much to you want the IRS to take out of your check each pay period at the end of the year is where you pay the piper(IRS). I'm only talking about the federal IRS not state by the way, but my wife(now) lived with me for six years
and i filed head of house hold and was able to get a deduction for her.
2006-09-15 13:43:21 · answer #9 · answered by barrbou214 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Claim EXEMPTIONS, as many as you wish, around 9 or 10 will usually get you out of having with holding. See IRS worksheet for exemptions.
2006-09-15 13:23:56 · answer #10 · answered by The Advocate 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋