Thank you for the follow-up question. Yes, you may be able to get the full $2,000 on one return. It is advisable to test both scenarios (separate vs. joint) before deciding.
If you and your spouse are using Married Filing Separately filing status, then you either both need to itemize your deductions, or you both use the standard deduction for Married Filing Separately.
Review your entries in the Personal Info section of TurboTax. These entries determine what filing status TurboTax will use and whether TurboTax will use itemized deductions or the standard deduction.
If you file separately, TurboTax will ask you whether the child stayed more nights with you vs. the other parent and the answer affects whether you get the dependent on your return.
When you select Married Filing Separately, TurboTax asks follow-up questions. If you select that either you or your spouse itemize deductions, TurboTax displays the following statement: "Note: You both must itemize your deductions on each of your returns, or both of you must take the standard deduction. If only one of you wants to itemize, you should consider filing as Married Filing Jointly."
Depending on other factors, it may still be better to file jointly. If you live in a community property state (Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin), you will need to split your community income evenly even if filing separately; the rules vary by state. Also, some tax benefits aren't available for Separate filing status.
You can use TurboTax Online to test different scenarios before deciding to file jointly or separately. Click here for more information from TurboTax on how to decide which filing status to choose.
Click here for tax tips for community property states.
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