how should i file

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My wife just started collecting social security benefits and I’m still working would it be better if we filed separately?

NCperson

Level 15

no.

If either of you is over 65, each of you would lose the Senior Deduction of up to $6,000. if your job pays overtime or tips, you would lose the benefit of deducting the overtime premium or the tip income.

You both would be required to take the standard deduction or both required to itemize. You can not “mix and match”.

When someone is collecting social security and living with their spouse, yet filing Separate, the tax on the social security benefits can be higher.

Even if her only income is social security, she is still required to file. When filing Separate, if your gross income exceeds $5 (yes, $5), there is a filing requirement.

Further, 96% of married couples file Joint. Congress only passes laws that protect the sanctity of marriage. They do no pass laws that incent filing Separate.

You can run your personal senario though this calculator (run it 3 times: once as joint and each as Separate). You will find the sum of the tax on running it Separate for each of you is higher than the tax running it Joint. If it does not work out that way, chances are you did something incorrect.

https://www.dinkytown.net/java/1040-tax-calculator.html