When you get married, you're not only combining homes, but possibly tax returns, as well. Will marriage save you money on your taxes, or will you be penalized with a tax bill for your nuptials? Follow these steps for the lowest possible taxes as a wedded couple.
SEE: The Tax Benefits Of Having A Spouse
Can You File as a Married Couple?If you weren't married on the last day of the tax year for which you are filing, you can't declare yourself either married filing jointly or married filing separately. You will likely both declare yourselves as single individuals. Thus, if you were hitched on January 1, 2012, you can't declare yourself married on your tax returns for the 2011 tax year.
Can You File as a Married Couple?If you weren't married on the last day of the tax year for which you are filing, you can't declare yourself either married filing jointly or married filing separately. You will likely both declare yourselves as single individuals. Thus, if you were hitched on January 1, 2012, you can't declare yourself married on your tax returns for the 2011 tax year.
Review Restrictions on Married Filing SeparatelyThere are two restrictions on filing separately that could automatically end discussions regarding these options, or have you thinking harder about which tax option to choose.
- Prohibited Deductions and CreditsIf you file as married filed separately, you cannot claim student loan interest deductions, tuition and fees deduction, the education credits and earned income credits. If you qualify for more than one of these credits and deductions, it's possible you could lose more than a thousand dollars of your refund by filing separately.
In addition, if you file as married filing separately, you both have to choose either to take the standard deduction or itemized deductions. What that means is that one of you has enough deductions to file an enormous amount of deductions, such as business or medical expenses, and the other spouse has to do the same. ...read more.
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