Hello everyone. I keep getting two different answers to this question. So I thought I'd ask here on Yahoo. If I was married in 2006, but got divorced in 2007, do I file married on my taxes(because I was married in the 2006 tax year) or do I file single now that I am no longer married even though I am filing for my 2006 taxes? For anyone with this info, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
2007-06-22 11:02:38 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
You file your 2006 based on your marital status as of 12/31/2006.
If you were married on that date, you can file as "Married-Filing Jointly" or "Married Filing-Separately". If you are on speaking terms, jointly is usually better.
2007-06-22 11:16:48 · answer #1 · answered by Wayne Z 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It depends - that might be why you are getting different answers.
If you didn't live with your spouse at any time during the second half of the year (even one night) and you provided more than half of the cost of keeping up a home for an eligible child, then you can most likely file as head of household.
If you don't meet those requirements, then your options are to file a joint return if you can agree on that, or to file as married filing separately.
You do NOT file as single for 2006 if you didn't get divorced until 2007.
2007-06-22 12:51:25 · answer #2 · answered by Judy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone so far is correct so far about your marital status as of 12/31 being determinative.
However, while it is true that you can choose filing jointly or separately for any year that you are married, it is also true that there is a circumstance where you can be CONSIDERED UNMARRIED by IRS.
Here are the requirements:
1. You must not have lived with your spouse at all during the last half of the year.
2. You must have paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home which was your home and the home of a qualifying child for more than half of the year.
If you meet these tests, then you qualify for the filing status "Head of Household"
2007-06-22 11:46:02 · answer #3 · answered by Hank Roitman, EA 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For tax year 2006 you MUST file as married. You can file Married Filing Jointly with your now ex-spouse or you can file Married Filing Separately by yourself.
Your marital status on 12/31 determines your marital status for the entire year. It does not matter if you got married on 12/30/06 and divorced on 1/2/07, you'd be married for all of 2006 as far as tax law is concerned.
2007-06-22 11:18:47 · answer #4 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Take your divorce decree with you and function H & R Block or yet another respected company do your taxes for you. Then flow off of their suggestion, that's what the do is help answer tax questions.
2016-10-18 09:58:33 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You say that you got divorced in 2007, is that 'you filed for divorce' or 'the divorce is final'?
Until the date your divorce is finalized, your choices are Married, or Married filing seperately. As in eather case your divorse was not finalized as of 12/31/06, you CANNOT file single or head-of-household.
2007-06-22 11:21:13 · answer #6 · answered by S. M. 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋