I bought a home before getting married and my name is only on the mortgage. We are filing married/seperate due to student loan situations. Do we both itemize the interest

[nyates1220]

I bought the home in 2014, my husband has lived in the home since we married. He is not on the mortgage and I pay for the home out of an account I recently added him as joint owner.

Can I split the itemization deduction between the two of us? Or am I the only one allowed to claim it as I'm the only one on the mortgage?

The return will go into a joint account, so we don't mind who claims it as long as it gets the maximum benefit.

[PatriciaV · Accepted solution]

Yes, when filing separately, you can divide the mortgage interest between the two returns or report the entire amount on the return that receives the most benefit. But do not report the entire amount on both returns.

Remember that when filing separately from your spouse, if one return uses itemized deductions, the other must as well - even if the total is less than the standard deduction.

If you live in a community property state, you may also benefit from the discussion here: 
Married Filing Separately in Community Property States