Kind of what to revisit this as I still feel I'm missing something here. I've entered our tax information numerous times as joint filing and then as separate. Anything in both of our names (ie mortgage stuff, donations, etc) I applied to myself and not my wife as I make a lot more money. Anything that was only listed in one of our names went to that return only. We both itemize. What is concerning me is the drastic reduction in federal taxes owed if I file separately vs jointly. I am talking $1000 dollars less. All the items are accounted for 100% between both of us. Nothing is left out either way I do it. If worst case scenario is the IRS finds a problem and tells me to pay the difference owed, then I have no problem but I assume they'll screw me hard for more money than just what I messed up based on some unknowns that I would never understand.
