Can I use property tax as a deduction when filing married but separate

meli44492 — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:11:54 GMT

Re: Can I use property tax as a deduction when filing married but separate

xmasbaby0 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 22:12:19 GMT

Yes-----but when you file MFS, you BOTH have to itemize if one of you itemizes deductions. And...your deduction for property tax is capped at $5000 when you file MFS.

If you were legally married at the end of 2023 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 $27,700 (+$1500 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 since with online, you get one return per fee.

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-separately

Re: Can I use property tax as a deduction when filing married but separate

MinhT1 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 22:12:31 GMT

Yes, but only if you use itemized deductions and for the part that you paid.

Re: Can I use property tax as a deduction when filing married but separate

DoninGA — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 22:12:49 GMT

Only if you will be itemizing your deductions. Most taxpayers cannot use itemized deduction since the Standard Deduction for their filing status is higher then the total of their itemized deductions.

topic Can I use property tax as a deduction when filing married but separate in Deductions & credits

Can I use property tax as a deduction when filing married but separate

Re: Can I use property tax as a deduction when filing married but separate

Re: Can I use property tax as a deduction when filing married but separate

Re: Can I use property tax as a deduction when filing married but separate