TeresaM
Expert Alumni

Get your taxes done using TurboTax

If you are in a community property state, you would be required to have any common income split equally if you file separately.  They are Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. 

 

If you are not in a community property state, you have more flexibility but there are still some tax credits that will only be available if you file jointly. You may wish to mock up a return each way and see which would be most beneficial with your situation. TurboTax will not charge until you are ready to file, so if you have one you do not use, there is no cost.

 

This TurboTax Help article gives some examples of differences in filing married separately or jointly.

 

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