@Rosepedalsarah wrote:
Wouldn't it be better for me to claim our son separately, since you said I can do that, and my husband's return be taken only? Or would it really cost us enough more in taxes that having a return wouldn't be worth it?
In most cases filing jointly and including the Form 8379 with the tax return will be less costly to you then filing separately. The Form 8379 protects your portion of a joint tax refund from seizure for the back debts owed by your spouse.
And especially if you live in one of the Community Property states filing separately is much more complex.
Community property states - Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin
