Can an unmarried couple file a joint return with a dependant child?

Question

My boyfriend and I have been living together for 7 years and have never gotten married and I would like to know what is the legal way to file a tax return. Our son is 6 years old.

Answer 1

you must each file separately with one taking deduction for the child. Even though I am divorced and pay a boatload of child support, I dont get any deduction for them.

Answer 2

If you are in a state that recognizes commonm-law marriages and you have met the minimum time limit to live together, filing a joint return will generally satisfy the second component of common-law marriage -- holding yourself out as married!

So, in effect, if you file a joint return, you may be getting married!

There is no common law divorce, by the way. Once you are married, common-law or otherwise, you are stuck together for life unless you get a legal divorce.

Answer 3

Common law marriage generally has more requirements than just living together for a particular period of time, although that's usually part of it. Do you go by "Mrs. boyfriend's-name"?

Wikipedia.com has an extensive article on the requirements by state for common law marriages. It depends on the state law whether you're considered to be married.

If you are, then yes you can file a joint return. Otherwise, no, you'd file as single. One of you could most likely file as head of household.

Answer 4

I'm not a lawyer or a Tax person but I am 90% sure the answer is Nope.

However depending on the state in which you live in you may be under what is referred to as a common law marriage.

Answer 5

sure you are able to then whilst you're in texas it truly is easy regulation. the guy ususally has the submitting stuff. yet think of intently whilst you're no longer married are you going to truly? whilst you're no longer it is one thank you to information of marriage and willhave to be divorced.??