We are an unmarried couple. both sold our homes and bought a home together, both on mortgage. how do we file our taxes this year? who can claim what?

[SweetieJean · Accepted solution]

You each file as Single, unless one of you qualifies for Head of Household.

You each claim your respective (former) homes on your own return. For the one you own jointly, divide the mortgage interest and property taxes taxes paid in accordance with how much you each actually paid yourself.

[kimberlyjg1986]

ok so since we file separately and both pay everything equally on the home and everything will be equal at tax time, do we still have to file at the same time? I prefer to file the first chance i get. will my tax refund come back earlier still? Or will it not come back until he files for the other half of the house as well? hopefully that makes sense.

[SweetieJean]

No, you do not have to file at the same time.

[rjs]

. . . And when you get your refund will not be affected by when your partner files.

[kimberlyjg1986]

great thank you. so the IRS or the system just "knows" half has already been claimed by one person? sorry this is our first time dealing with this and want to make sure i do it correctly. thank you for all of our input

[rjs]

No, unfortunately the IRS doesn't "know" anything except what's on the Form 1098 that the lender issues. The 1098 can have only one Social Security number on it. The one whose Social Security number is not on the 1098 might get some questions from the IRS, and will have to explain. If both names are on the 1098, that would help to convince the IRS.