If you filed jointly in past years can you now file by yourself if you are married? Oh and does Turbo Tax work?
2007-03-30 10:24:54 · 6 answers · asked by Barbara 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
Yes, but if you file married but separately, you miss out on several items. Namely, the Earned Income Credit. Is there a reason you want to file married but separate? It usually benefits you more if you file jointly. If you were separated more than 6 months last year, then I believe it is OK to file Head of Household (which is better than maried filing separaetly) I'd double check on my last statement with the IRS.
Turbo Tax does work. But I've heard Tax Cut is better (HR Block's program) I might be a little biased, because I've worked for HRB before. But both are good programs.
2007-03-30 10:33:39 · answer #1 · answered by T Taylor 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
If you are married you files either married Joint or Married separate. YOU CAN NOT FILE SINGLE OR HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD! Don't listen to anybody that says you can file differently when you are still legally married - THEY ARE WRONG!
MFJ usually is better tax wise.
I've never used Turbo tax because we have a professional program (we prepare returns). I've heard is works great.
Just DON'T use H&R Block - they are expensive and the preparers don't always know what they are doing. The intro course also has many important areas that are "beyond the scope of this course." This statemewnt is in the text book. They also hire people that flunked the final.
2007-03-30 17:36:15 · answer #2 · answered by JessicaRabbit 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Mostly, it is better tax-wise to file MFJ. Every now and then it works out different, but not usually. If one of you has a Federal debt (child support, taxes, student loans) that the other isn't responsible for; you can file an Injured Spouse Form and still be eligible for all the credits you may be able to take...
good luck & bless
2007-03-30 17:39:30 · answer #3 · answered by Wood Smoke ~ Free2Bme! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can file separately any year you want. However, it is usually not advantageous to do so. Yes, turbo tax does work pretty good for an inexperienced tax preparer.
2007-03-30 17:33:41 · answer #4 · answered by Dan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Turbo tax and file it, it's called MFS married filing separately, but limits your ability to take certain cretain and the other person must file that way and use standard eduction/itemize if you do. More Expensive tax wise in most cases.
2007-03-30 17:30:35 · answer #5 · answered by Outside the box 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Each year, you can change the way you file, so you could file as married filing separately some years, joint in others.
2007-03-30 22:29:08 · answer #6 · answered by Judy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋