The IRS gives married couples a choice: You can file your taxes jointly, or you can choose the status "married, filing separately." While most couples will be better off filing jointly, there are times when filing separately is preferable. Here's how to figure out your filing status....
For 2024 (taxes filed in 2025), the standard deduction rises to $29,200 for married couples filing jointly. » MORE: Standard deduction vs. itemized deductions Married filing jointly vs. separately Although it’s typically beneficial for most married couples to file a joint tax return, th...
If a parent doesn't work, she still may be required or permitted to file taxes. If she is married, she and her spouse can file a joint return, which is generally to their financial advantage. She must also file a return if she has any non-wage income lik
As we said before, the IRS doesn’tforceyou to file jointly if you’re married. You can always file separately. Married filing separately is a filing status for married couples who, for whatever reason, decide, “Meh, we don’t want to do our taxes together.” As a married couple, you...
File with a tax pro But if you’re filing a past year’s taxes, you might still wonder how to avoid the marriage “penalty” tax. In short, you can’t. The only way to avoid it would be to file as Single, but if you’re married, you can’t do that. And while there’s no...
WithTurboTax Live Full Service, a local expert matched to your unique situation will do your taxes for you start to finish. Or, get unlimited help and advice from tax experts while you do your taxes withTurboTax Live Assisted. And if you want to file your own taxes, you can still feel ...
Couples living in community-property states should consider state law when deciding how to file. WithTurboTax Live Full Service, a local expert matched to your unique situation will do your taxes for you start to finish. Or, get unlimited help...
Legal separations were why the married filing separately status was created. For a variety of reasons, divorcing or separated couples may not be willing to file their taxes jointly. There are a few considerations for people who find themselves in this situation. For instance, only one individual ...
it may be a little more complicated. That's because you can file jointly or separately. If you file jointly, you can take advantage of certain tax credits and deductions. If, on the other hand, you don't want to be responsible for your spouse's taxes, consider filing your returns separ...