Married filing separately, have outside income, if my wife itemized I must itemize also?

Question

can you give me more details, I can itemize my medicals, and non reimbured business expense, but must pay ss and medicare on non w4 wages any other information please pass on

Answer 1

If she already filed her return, itemizing; you have to itemize. Remember you can take gifts to charity, including non cash items given to goodwill, salvation army etc.
If you had wages reported to you on a 1099, not a w-2, take your non reimbursed business expenses on a schedule C, this reduces your income on which you have to pay self employment tax, that is better than on itemized deductions. On your itemized deductions, you also get to claim state income tax paid, withheld from your paycheck if you have any or any other income tax payments made to the state.

Answer 2

Yes, if either of you itemizes, BOTH of you must itemize even if your itemized deductions are less than your standard deduction.

Yes, you must pay SS and Med taxes on self-employment income.

Answer 3

Yes, if your wife itemized, you have to also. Medical expenses can only be deducted in the amount that they exceed 7.5% of your AGI. For unreimbursed employee business expenses, you can only take the amount that's over 2% of your AGI. And yes, you will pay self-employment tax on any self-employment income.