All previous years we have filed jointly using Home-Business Desktop. I retired in 2023 with no income in 2024. Best begin 2024 return filing separately? (Wife with business income and expenses. Me with none.)
Yes. Don't change a thing except removing the one business that is closed. Filing jointly will be best for both of you.
Joint should still be better. Do you get Social Security? You get a higher standard deduction even if 1 spouse has no income. Some reasons for Joint. There are several credits you can't take when filing separately, like the
EITC Earned Income Tax Credit
Child Care Credit
Educational Deductions and Credits
And contributions to IRA and ROTH IRA are limited when you file MFS.
Also if you file Married Filing Separately up to 85`% of your Social Security becomes taxable right away even with zero other income.
For your personal return, you can file MFJ. The IRS has a quick quiz to help determine the Filing status that is best for you.
For the business:
We each had separate businesses. No partnership. Both sole proprietorships.
So, just file MFJ for personal and for business enter he income and expenses?
Yes. Don't change a thing except removing the one business that is closed. Filing jointly will be best for both of you.