Usually it is more beneficial to file as married filing joint than it is to file as married filing separate. To answer your question you will have to prepare a return both ways using the correct standard deduction for each filing status and if one itemizes the other should itemize also as the others standard deduction is -0-. If you do not itemize then the standard deduction for each is $5,700 for 2009.
For more information go to the IRS.gov web site and use the search boxes for the publication and tax topic. Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information Tax Topic 353, What is your filing status Publication 504 , Divorced or Separated Individuals
And if you live in a community property state you could have other considerations to think about.
You may be able to claim itemized deductions on a separate return for certain expenses that you paid separately or jointly with your spouse. Deductible expenses that are paid out of separate funds, such as medical expenses, are deductible by the spouse who pays them. If these expenses are paid from community funds, the deduction may depend on whether or not you live in a community property state. In a community property state, the deduction is, generally, divided equally between you and your spouse. For more information refer to Publication 555, Community Property.
Not as long as you are still legally married on the last day of the year. Married filing jointly or Married filing separately. NOT as a single taxpayer.
Married filing Jointly
If my husband makes $75,000 in 2011 filing married and zero and I make $34,615 filing married but at a higher single rate and zero plus $25 will we owe taxes or get a refund?
In some cases, such as both spouses working, married people find that not enough tax is being withheld at the married rate, which is the second lowest tax rate after head of household. To solve this, married people can check the 'Married but withhold at higher Single rate' choice in box 3 of Form W-4 [Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate]. But when it's time to file their tax return, a married person who's having tax withheld at the Single rate would file as Married Filing Jointly. The difference between the higher Single rate and the lower Married Filed Jointly rate can vary from $1 to over $800.
Choose the filing method that gives the lowest tax rate; married filing jointly or separately. Info on the W2 is used to determine the amount of taxes taken out of your paycheck.
The available filing statuses for federal income tax returns are: Single Married Filing Jointly Head of Household Married Filing Separately Qualifying Widow or Widower No, there is no filing status for Single Filing Jointly.
Married people can file jointly or separately, never as a single person.
Not as long as you are still legally married on the last day of the year. Married filing jointly or Married filing separately. NOT as a single taxpayer.
Married filing Jointly
Single = 28% Married Filing Jointly & Qualifying Widow = 25% Married Filing Separate = 28% Head of Household = 25% http://taxresolutionaries.blogspot.com
If my husband makes $75,000 in 2011 filing married and zero and I make $34,615 filing married but at a higher single rate and zero plus $25 will we owe taxes or get a refund?
In some cases, such as both spouses working, married people find that not enough tax is being withheld at the married rate, which is the second lowest tax rate after head of household. To solve this, married people can check the 'Married but withhold at higher Single rate' choice in box 3 of Form W-4 [Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate]. But when it's time to file their tax return, a married person who's having tax withheld at the Single rate would file as Married Filing Jointly. The difference between the higher Single rate and the lower Married Filed Jointly rate can vary from $1 to over $800.
In general, if you are married and living together at the end of the year, you can file as either Married Filing Jointly (MFJ) or Married Filing Separately (MFS.) See the attached links for more information about filing status.
If you are legally separated or legally divorced on the last day of the year, you should file as single or head of household. You should NOT file as Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately.
You can't file Married Filing Jointly if you aren't a married couple. While you're engaged, you each have to file as Single. But no matter when you marry during the year, you can file Married Filed Jointly for the year in which you marry.
If you itemize the standard deduction will be $4,850 for single; $9,700 for married filing jointly.
It is not illegal to file as single if you are married, but it is considered tax fraud. When you are married, you are generally required to file your taxes as either married filing jointly or married filing separately. Filing as single when married could result in penalties if discovered by the IRS.