Should I file jointly if my spouse hasn't worked for a year?

bladezen — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 07:04:12 GMT

Re: Should I file jointly if my spouse hasn't worked for a year?

Critter — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 08:41:05 GMT

YES !!! Especially if they did not work ... this way you get to use the married filing joint deduction and the lower tax rates. Now if the unemployed person is usually listed FIRST on the tax return LEAVE them in first position ... switching positions on a tax return can and does confuse the IRS so don't do it.

Re: Should I file jointly if my spouse hasn't worked for a year?

bladezen — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 08:53:19 GMT

Ok Thanks! So what exactly will benefit us with her not working? This will be the second year filing together.

Re: Should I file jointly if my spouse hasn't worked for a year?

Critter — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 09:04:34 GMT

If you were legally married at the end of 2019 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 $24,000 (+$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...

topic Should I file jointly if my spouse hasn't worked for a year? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Should I file jointly if my spouse hasn't worked for a year?

Re: Should I file jointly if my spouse hasn't worked for a year?

Re: Should I file jointly if my spouse hasn't worked for a year?

Re: Should I file jointly if my spouse hasn't worked for a year?