If Married, is it more convenient to file taxes as "single" or "married"?

Question

I just got married and next year will be the first time I will file taxes. In case of a divorce in the future, is it better if now I file taxes still as single or it doesnt make a difference if I file as married?. If I know that a divorce will be easier to get in the future if I filed my taxes as single while I was married then maybe that is something I should do. Please, help me on this. I love my husband by I would like to know this for general information.

Answer 1

If you do not have a full handle on your husbands financial situation, file as MFS.  You are give 3 years to amend into a MFJ return if you decide later that you want to.  

The MFJ wildcards are if your hubby forgets to tell you about all of his income, he fudges deductions or, oops, has back taxes, a student loan in default or a child he forgot to to tell you about.

The IRS intercepts refunds for back taxes, loans and child support.  While there is an injured spouse form, it takes ages to process and many people are unhappy with the amount.

For missed income and flunked audits, the IRS can and will hold you liable for the debt on any MFJ return.  The IRS is NOT bound by the divorce decree or even sincere promises that the ex-hubby will pay the money back. (The Innocent Spouse form is not a guaranteed solution to getting out of the debt.)

Answer 2

You can't file as single.  You will file as "Married filing separately" or "Married filing jointly".  Usually jointly results in somewhat less tax paid.  The down side to jointly is that then you are both responsible for the accuracy of the return and liable if the return is false or in error.  As long as neither spouse is trying to cheat on taxes, that should not be a major issue.

Answer 3

For most couples you will pay less tax if you file jointly.

How you file income taxes will not matter if you end up in divorce court.

Many couples still file joint returns while they are in the middle of a divorce since it will save them money.  In some cases divorce judges will order a couple to file jointly to save money.

Answer 4

Your filing status doesn't matter for divorce purposes.

Answer 5

If you are married you should file married filing jointly to have the least tax burden.  You may not file single you would have to file married filing separately.  It would only be advisable to file married filing separately if you either of you had potential undocumented income like one person owns a business or has real estate investment income.  If you both work for employers and have regular paycheck withholdings there would be almost zero reason to file separately.

Answer 6

What the others said is right about fining married to get the best tax rate.  As far as getting a divorce in the future, filing your taxes one way or another won't be a factor.  Lawyers and judges decide what happens in a divorce.  

Answer 7

File married, you get a tax break for being married.

Answer 8

well... it all depends... Yes... it doesn't matter if you file joint or single!  but if you have dependants.. I see that it is more easy for me & hubby to file sepearte.. we have 3 kids & the cut off for the credit is 2 kids.. so he claims 1 & we file single!  if you file married it doesnt get u back anymore $ or anything!

Answer 9

If you are married, it is illegal to file as single, and that would be a fraudulent return.  You can file jointly or as married filing separately.

How you file would not have any effect on a future divorce if that comes about, or even on how you file the following year,  If you stay married you could switch back and forth every year between filing joint or as married filing separately.  It's almost always better to file joint, though.

Answer 10

Generally, if you are married on 12/31/2008, you can only file a as "Married" (Separately or Jointly).  "Single" is no longer an option for you.  Usually, filing Jointly is better.

Answer 11

It all depends on if you are married or single on Dec 31. If you are married then you need to file your taxes either MFJ or MFS.   If you are divorced on that day then you need to file single