how long do you have to be married to file taxes jointly?

Question

i have only been married to my current husband for 3 months in 2006, can i file a joint return with him? if no, then will they really notice if i file jointly anyway? I mean we wouldn't be getting that much more back for them to want to audit us.

Answer 1

Yes, you can. The length of marriage is not taken into account, only that you married at some point in 2006 and were married at the end of 2006.

Do check to see what your returns would look like if you both file singly and compare to what happens when you file jointly to see which is truly the better option for you.

Answer 2

So long as you are married on Dec 31 of the tax year in question, you can file a joint return.

Answer 3

Your marital status at the end of December 31 determines your status for the year. So yes, you can file a joint return: your only other option would be married filing separately, and that would usually cost you more than filing joint.

Answer 4

as the others said you have to be married as of DEC 31.
if you expect a refund and file jointly, do not use your new last name on your return until soc sec admin has changed it.
If you're in a hurry to file, just file using your old name until its changed.
If you use your new last name before changed by SSA, then IRS will notice you filed jointly and will delay any refund till the name issue is resolved.

Answer 5

The IRS does everything on a calendar year basis. Whatever your status is as of Dec. 31 is what you will file as. Even if you get married on Dec. 31. This also applies to children, a child born on Dec 31 can still be counted as a dependant.

Answer 6

As long as you were married during the year you are filing your taxes for they don't really care how long you've been married