@lo213 wrote:
I started filing online and turbo tax says that if I file the standard deduction that my husband also has to do the same.
Not exactally. The law is that if one spouse *itemizes* the other spouse cannot take the standard deduction but must *also* itemize, even if there is nothing to itemize. Taking the standard deduction does not force the spouse to also take the standard deduction - it is the other way around.
One possible out is if you have a dependent child, step child or foster child that lives with you, you might qualify for Head of Household filing status that has no such requirement.
I suggest that you work with your divorce attorney to try to get an answer. If you take the standard deduction and he itemized than you will probably be audited in about a year or so when the IRS matches separate returns (which they do) and get a bill for back tax plus interest.
**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**
