Anonymous
Not applicable

My spouse and I have simple taxes, but when we prepare them as MFJ we end up owing money. When we prepare them MFS, we both get a refund. Why?

What are we doing wrong? I thought MFJ is beneficial in most cases. Our taxes are very straightforward. We both had one job the whole year, we didn't move, we don't have a house, both taking standard deduction. We make about the same amount of money, he makes slightly more. However, when we file jointly we ended up owing money and when we filed separately, we both got a refund.