Married filing separately

[tcorriveau]

My husband and I have compared married filing jointly and married filing separately. If we filing a joint return we owe $1,200; however, if we file separate returns taking the standard deduction one receives a return of $5,000 and the other owes $2,000.

Can we file separately to take advantage of the $5,000 return to pay the amount owed and come on top with the remainder?

[Critter-3]

You can always choose to file separately however BEFORE you file either return REVIEW them both carefully for accuracy since what you are describing doesn't sound normal so I think you may have made an error.  Remember if one of you itemizes you both must itemized (make sure you split the deductions)  and the same with the standard deduction. 

[tcorriveau]

Thank you. I have completed both ways several times using different software and they come out the same. Itemizing both results in more taxes be paid by both; whereas, taking the standard deduction results in my scenario.

I claimed single no dependents for the entire year. My spouse claimed married with 1 dependent. Two of his part-time jobs didn’t take out taxes except for the additional $10 per check he requested.