Married couples can file their federal income taxes jointly or separately each year. Joint filing is the best option for those who got married before January 1, 2024, and if you got married on or after January 1, 2024, you must file separately. Joint filing means that both spouses are responsible for the money they and your spouse owe to the IRS prior to your marriage.
The IRS considers all legally married couples eligible to file jointly, even if one spouse has no taxable income or deductions. The standard deduction for married filing jointly taxpayers is higher than the standard deduction ($25,900) for married couples who file jointly. Filing separately would allow both spouses to file their taxes separately.
Married filing jointly is available to any couple who has married by December 31, the last day of the tax year. This tax status is generally the best option for most couples. Joint filers receive one of the largest standard deductions each year and can claim their children or dependents, qualify for increased tax credits and deductions, and earn more combined income before being taxed.
For tax year 2023, married filing separately taxpayers receive a standard deduction of only $13,850 each compared to the $27,700 those who filed jointly. If your spouse passed away during the tax year, the IRS considers you still married on the final day of the tax year.
In summary, married couples can choose to file their federal income taxes jointly or separately each year, with joint filing being the most beneficial option for most couples.
📹 Married Couples: To File Taxes Joint or Separate? I Mark Kohler
Mark Kohler, senior tax advisor at TaxSlayer, discusses if you should file taxes jointly or separately if you are married. Married …
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Thanks for the vid. I do have a question … I’ve filed together with my wife last year, however she got her insurance license etc and started to do business without saving money for taxes ( obviously not deducted while getting paid commissions ) in addition she was not getting deducted the right amount of taxes at her work, now “we” more than likely owe money to the IRS, should/can I filed taxes individually this year or I’m I obligated to do joint ? Thanks
I hope you read this ! I’m in a complex tax situation, I am a waitress and this tax return I owe a little over $3k because supposedly of my dependents & not enough taxes was taken out throughout 2021, anyways long story short. Can I file my taxes separately from my husband and use a possible return to pay my spouse’s tax liability? Once I added my spouse’s w2 information, I ended up owing instead of receiving.