If your spouse filed his tax return as single, but you were married one day before the end of the year, can you get in trouble by the IRS if you file single as well? My tax refund was returned to the IRS and I filed single, but I am now married and I don't know how to fix it. My post office won't accept it in my maiden name and I don't know how to fix it. Can anyone help? Thanks.
2007-05-23 23:53:35 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
If you were married as of 12/31/2006 your only choices are Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately. That's for both you and your husband. You'll usually pay less tax by filing a joint return.
If you both filed as Single, you must either file amended returns as Married Filing Separately or an amended return as Married Filing Jointly. File Form 1040X in either case.
If you amend to MFS, you may have extra tax plus penalties and interest due. You're more likely to be in a zero-tax situation by amending to MFJ.
2007-05-24 00:12:03 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Go back to the post office. They should not refuse mail in your maiden name, that doesn't sound correct. Tell them your name on your SS is that name, or whatever.
Then tell the IRS to send your refund check again, it was returned in error.
You should have filed married filing separately of course. After you get your refund, you should amend your return to MFS. If you have no children it should not make a difference in your refund.
2007-05-24 09:30:13 · answer #2 · answered by ninasgramma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a reason that the USPS returned your check to the IRS. Did someone fill out a change of address in your name? Did the letter carrier have any way of knowing that you would receive mail under your maiden name? If you live in an apartment is your maiden name listed on your mailbox?
If the check was in your maiden name, and the letter carrier had no knowledge of your maiden name, the check would be returned to the sender. A carrier is not going to leave any check, at any address for a name that he/she is not familiar with.
There is no other reason that USPS would arbitrarily return a the check.
Please do not blame the USPS.
2007-05-24 22:31:42 · answer #3 · answered by Postal Professor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Uh, yes, if you were married as of the end of the year, you can't legally file as single and can be in trouble for doing so.
To fix it, you both need to file amended returns changing your status to married filing separately, or you need to file one amended return for the two of you changing your status to joint. A joint return is almost surely the better deal for you as far as total taxes go.
2007-05-24 10:03:24 · answer #4 · answered by Judy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋