I just got married 3 months ago and tax season is coming up, my husband and I want to file separately becuase we think we can get some $$. We don't have children yet. But I'm wondering if we can file anyways and do we always have to file separately?
Thank you for your response(s).
2006-10-30 07:49:12 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
I think you're really asking whether you can still file as single, and the answer to that is no. You must file a joint return, or you must each file as married filing separately. In most cases the latter is not recommended.
2006-10-30 08:05:45 · answer #1 · answered by TaxGuru 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In most cases, fileing separately will cause you to pay more in taxes. Remember the Tax code is written to reward married people with kids who buy real estate and penalize people who are single without children and rent. I would recomend doing your return both ways so you can see the difference for yourselves but I would stay away from tax software such as "tax cut" or "turbo tax" I recieve a lot of clients every year that have had problems with tax soft ware packages because they are not usually updated at the time of relese with the correct info. If you try to file on line I also recieve people who come in and have to refile a prior year because the online version did not correctly send the return to the IRS and so the IRS sends them a letter. Best bet is to get a free estimate from a firm like Jackson Hewitt or Liberty Tax Service and see which way works to your advantage, get a price and decide who you want to pay for your return. Most CPA's charge way to much for a return.
2006-10-30 08:17:22 · answer #2 · answered by mrfoxhorn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how it is in the US but here in the Philippines we always file separately because most of the necessary documents come from the office anyway, so it doesn't make sense to bring it home and consolidate.
We just have to decide which of us will list the kids as a dependent on the tax sheet for tax deduction purposes.
2006-10-30 08:02:20 · answer #3 · answered by slvrdlphn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can file separately, but can't file as single. Married filing joint almost always costs you less than married filing separately.
If you file separately this year, you can file joint other years if you want to. The only thing you can't do is amend a return to change that year from joint to separate - you can go the other way though.
Get the forms or something like TurboTax, fill them out both ways, and see how you come out.
2006-10-30 09:51:40 · answer #4 · answered by Judy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are some reasons to file separately:
-No Joint Liability. Each spouse is fully responsible for the accuracy of the return as well as the payment of the tax. A spouse who files seperate is not responsible for reporting or paying tax on items attributable to the other spouse.
-Pay less tax: tax brackets & standard deduction for MFS are 1/2 of those for MFJ. Spouses with equal incomes will generally owe the same tax under either filing status unless one spouse has medical expenses, casualty losses or employee business expenses subject to a %age limitation based on Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). In this situation you may pay less tax by filing separately because these expenses are limited by the ABI of only one spouse.
2006-10-30 08:03:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot file single while you are still married. But you may be able to get tax relief from the IRS. In some cases, a spouse (or former spouse) will be relieved of the tax, interest, and penalties on a joint tax return. Three types of relief are available to married persons who filed joint returns. 1. Innocent spouse relief. 2. Separation of liability relief. 3. Equitable relief. Married persons who did not file joint returns, but who live in community property states, may also qualify for relief. See IRS Publication 971 and Form 8857 for more details.
2016-05-22 12:12:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can file either way, but because of changes in the married filing status, you aren't likely to get any more money filing separately. Fill it out both ways and see which is best for you.
2006-10-30 07:53:44 · answer #7 · answered by Blunt Honesty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can file jointly or seperatly, however depending on your situation filing jointly usually gives you the most money. Use tax cut and it will walk you through both ways and can show you which is better...or any CPA can do the same.
Good Luck...
2006-10-30 07:51:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can file separately - no laws against that. However you get more benefits filing together. Ask your accountant.
2006-10-30 07:51:35 · answer #9 · answered by Michael R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
married filling seperatly causes you to pay more tax. you wont qualify for some of the tax credits available.
2006-10-30 07:55:57 · answer #10 · answered by knowitall 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋