do i file seperate or married?

Question

i married in sept. I only worked for appr 6 months do i file seperate or married in the state of new mexico???

Answer 1

I've never had to fill out a New Mexico return so I'm not entirely sure of the filing options. Your federal return, however, is the same no matter where you live. You have the option of either married filing joint, or married filing seperate (if you guys live together, you don't have any other legal options, filing single would actually be considered fraud).

What the last answer mentioned about responsibility is true! You can be held responsible for a fraudulant tax return even if it's your husbands fault... however unless you have some reason to fear him doing that I'd say file married filing joint!

The reason is that MFS filing status loses several credits you might be entiled to, ecspecially if you have children! Also since you didn't work too much you probably wouldn't have any taxable income (it would be zeroed out by your standard deductions). So if you file joint, you'd essentially be having your deductions help lower your husbands income and you'd end up with a better tax return in the end (in most cases).

I know at HR Block we have some cool software features that can help you decide by showing you the difference between filing MFJ and MFS, but having someone else prepare your taxes is always a little expensive.

As for your New Mexico return, I'm not sure what your options even are. Odds are you'll have to file the same as you will on the federal return. In Delaware we have the option of filing married couples as seperate on combined form which often works out better then joint if both taxpayers have enough income! I know a few other states do this as well.

So despite the risk of being liable for eachothers returns I strongly encourage you to file jointly on the federal. Unless you have strict rules about not mixing your finances it just makes the most sense. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Married.

Answer 3

You can file as married filing jointly (MFJ) or married filing separately. In most cases, it is better to file as MFJ. If you file MFS, you will not get many credits and deductions On the joint return the liabilities are joint. If one spouse owes tax, both spouses are equally responsible.

Answer 4

It's funny to read the ignorant answers to your question. Always file marrried, but seperate. Do you know why ? When you file jointly, you assume your spouse's tax liability, even if they lie on their tax return. Does that make sense ? If your spouse gets in trouble with the IRS down the road, you won't be responsible.

Answer 5

married

Answer 6

Were you married when you worked? If you were, then file married. If you weren't, then file as Single. That's what I would do.

Answer 7

if you haven't divorced since september, then congratulations you're still married!

Answer 8

Uh, hello... you're married, duh!