My husband and I got married this year September 2007
I have a child from a previous relationship. Can we file jointly when the child is not my husband's dependant? Is my refund going to be affected greatly? Does one of us still file as head of household?
2007-11-27 08:56:24 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
Your choices are "Married-Filing Jointly" or "Married-Filing Separately". Jointly is usually better. Head of Household is no longer an option for you.
2007-11-27 09:06:54 · answer #1 · answered by Wayne Z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are the one who claims your child then I would say to file married but, separate this year. Next, year file together. My husband and I did it this way b/c we got married in October. This just seemed to be the easiest way to file taxes the first tax season. Also, you can file jointly even though the child is not his dependent. As long as you are the only person who can file your child. This is just what we did. It made it easier to do separate when we first got married. Best of luck to you.
2007-11-27 17:08:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can claim the child on a joint return. Your other option is to each file as married filing separately, and you claim the child - this would almost surely cost you more tax total between you than filing a joint return. You can not file as head of household - that's only for someone who isn't married.
If you were getting EIC before, it might increase, decrease or go away altogether depending on your total joint income. If you file separately, you are not eligible for EIC.
Other than EIC, your total tax between you probably won't change a lot, and your total refund would be about the same as before unless you had less withheld from your paychecks.
2007-11-27 17:04:44 · answer #3 · answered by Judy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, file jointly, and if the child lives with you and/or you support that child financially then he/she is your dependent. If the child's other parent claims him (as a dependent) first then you cannot. Yes, the one who makes the most $$ is head of household. If you can claim the child, you should have a nice refund. Otherwise, you may owe. That's my understanding, but check with a tax professional to be 100% sure.
2007-11-27 17:03:57 · answer #4 · answered by tolbunt5 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
File jointly for the largest return. If the kid is your dependent than it doesn't matter the relationship with your husband.
2007-11-27 17:04:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my advise its better to file separate cz your income will be higher if you join together so most likely your refund will be less...good luck
2007-11-27 18:32:20 · answer #6 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋