I have no income, my husband left me with young children. Do I file taxes? Am I 'head of household' status? What happens if I put zero income (the truth!) on my tax form?
My husband is abroad and wants me to file with him because I am still married to him. Will it help me in a divorce if I do that (it would show we were married for longer)? Or is he trying to get tax breaks because of the children? He pays no child support as yet, he refuses to voluntarily. I haven't taken legal action.
He wants to file 'married filing together'; and put 'zero income' (true for me, but he earns a lot in Canada, but pays taxes there so he says that's OK).
2007-04-10 20:20:59 · 8 answers · asked by katy 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
You need to file taxes- file married but filing seperately- forms - as he is not providing support he should not be getting the tax exemption for the children - you can claim zero -income - this will protect you from legal consequences if he is trying to evade taxes - if he is paying Canadian taxes he can fill out out an exclusion for working overseas/living -
It may or not provide support for filing a divorces depend on the state - and you may get social support for abondonment - you need to contact social services in your area to get more concrete legal and social support advice
2007-04-10 20:39:19 · answer #1 · answered by rowanwagner 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you have no income, there's no reason for you to file a return - you don't have to, and won't get any benefit by filing. If you didn't live together at any time during the last half of 2006, then you might qualify for head of household as your filing status, but that doesn't matter since you don't have anything to file on.
If you file a joint return with him, yes, he'll save in taxes since joint filing gives lower taxes, plus he'll have exemptions and credits for the children. You might be able to negotiate with him for you to get part of the savings. The possible downside is that if he files an inaccurate return, you are responsible for it right along with him, so don't do it unless you trust him to file an accurate return. If he's a US citizen, than putting zero income total (for both of you) on a joint return is NOT accurate if he has earnings somewhere other than the US - plus if your joint income was really zero, there would be no reason for him to file either. If he's earning money in Canada and paying taxes on it there, he might not owe US income taxes, but would still have to file a return and report all of his income, then he'd get a credit for the Canadian taxes.
Several of the answers above are incorrect. With no income, you don't have to file a return, and you couldn't get an EIC (Earned Income Credit) without any earned income.
Good luck.
2007-04-11 01:32:34 · answer #2 · answered by Judy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can file separately. If you dont have any income, you may not even be required to file at all. Your husband wants the tax benefits of the exemption deductions for you and the kids, plus perhaps child tax credits, etc. You are not obligated to file a joint return with your husband. If he files jointly and signs your name, that is fraudulent and he should be reported.
2007-04-10 21:13:41 · answer #3 · answered by tma 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You say you filed separately the past 3 years but you didn't mention if you filed "married filing separately" or as "single" or as head of household (if you have kids). He cannot legally claim her as his wife. He could have still claimed the child he had with his g/f but cannot legally claim her without being married (related to him). Since he already did - you have a choice what to do. Legally you should be filing as married filing separately and that's what he should have done too. But since he filed married joint with her you probably can file single if it gives you better tax rate than married filing separately does. However, if you have kids from him and you are supporting them, then you should probably file as head of household (since he already filed as married joint and to avoid getting him in trouble - unless you do want to get him in trouble).
2016-04-01 08:39:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're still legally married, then I think you have to file as married, even if you're not living together.
In any case, you have nothing to gain by filing single, because with no income, you paid no taxes. Since you paid no taxes, you won't be getting a refund, even with dependents.
2007-04-10 20:25:50 · answer #5 · answered by knowmeansknow 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
File separately and claim the earned income credit. He may not share the refund (if any).
Let him worry about his share.
2007-04-10 22:08:32 · answer #6 · answered by DAGIM 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have to file SEPARATELY for yourself, unless you want to keep helping the guy who's not helping you.
If he's in Canada, there are ways you can fight back.
The laws in Canada alre ALL on YOUR side. Not his.
They take this stuff very seriously.
2007-04-10 20:27:45 · answer #7 · answered by dickdamick 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would certainly ask someone who knew, but I can help you earn money if interested. Best wishes
2007-04-10 20:32:36 · answer #8 · answered by Debbie M 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋