topic Re: Should I file jointly? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Should I file jointly?

sfplaya71 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:41:52 GMT

Re: Should I file jointly?

Mike9241 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:37:31 GMT

since you have provided no info, why do you think married filing separately would be better? Generally, filing jointly produces the lowest tax bill but there can be exceptions. Even if it does, there may be other reasons for not filing jointly.

Re: Should I file jointly?

rjs — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 01:08:04 GMT

You can only file jointly if you were married as of the last day of the year. As Mike9241 said, filing jointly is usually best, unless there is something unusual about your situation.

I'm not sure what you're thinking when you ask "Should I file jointly?" You can't file jointly by yourself. You should be asking "Should we file jointly?" You have to file jointly with your spouse.

Re: Should I file jointly?

NCperson — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 09:42:06 GMT

@sfplaya71 - if you are married, your only two choices are Filing Joint or 95Filing Sepatate. Other than situations that impact student loan repayments (where the lower earning spouse has student debt), I have yet to find a situation where Filing Separate for financial reasons makes sense. 96% of married couples file joint each year.

Re: Should I file jointly?

Critter-3 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 11:35:50 GMT

If you were legally married at the end of 2022 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.

Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $25,900 (+$1300 for each spouse 65 or older) You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit.

If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return. Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states: AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI) If you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901162-married-filing-separately-in-community-property-states

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...