We bought a house but we are not married, how do we file?

[xmasbaby0]

Are you both on the deed and mortgage?   If you are not legally married you still file as Single---homeownership does not change that.

CO-OWNING A HOME

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-credits-deductions/deduct-mortgage-i...

You can each enter the amounts you paid if you are trying to itemize deductions on your returns.  it might not even make a difference---so do not expect a big refund from owning a house.

Go to Federal> Deductions and Credits> Your Home to enter mortgage interest, property taxes, and loan origination fees (“points”) that you paid in 2023.  You should have a 1098 from your mortgage lender that shows this information.  Lenders send these in January/early February.

HOMEOWNERSHIP DEDUCTIONS

It is very hard for a lot of people to use itemized deductions now that the standard deduction is so much higher.  Your home ownership may not have any effect on your tax due or refund, especially if you purchased the house late in the year.  

Standard Deduction

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund.  The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting  tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach.  The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you.  Under the new tax laws, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes. 

2023 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $13,850  (65 or older/legally blind + $1850)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $13,850  (65 or older/legally blind + $1500)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $27,700  (65+/legally blind) )  + $1500 per spouse

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD  $20,800 (65 or older/blind)  + $1850)

There is not a first time home buyers credit on a Federal return. That ended in 2010. If your state has such as credit, you will be able to enter it when you prepare your state return.

Buying a home is not a guarantee of a big refund.  Your deductions for homeownership combined with your other deductions (if any) must exceed your standard deduction to change your tax due or refund. If you purchased your home late in the year, you do not even have a full year of home 

ownership deductions.

Your closing costs on your new home are not deductible except for prepaid interest, prepaid property tax or loan origination fees.  There are no deductions for appraisal, inspections, title searches, settlement fees. etc.

Your down payment is not deductible.

Your homeowners insurance for fire, hazard, flood, etc. is not deductible for your own home.

Home improvements, repairs, maintenance, etc. for your own home are not deductible.  

Homeowners Association  (HOA) fees for your own home are not deductible.

[AmyC]

For the mortgage interest and real estate taxes, things get a little tricky or super easy. Most people take the standard deduction so this may not matter at all.

1. Is the 1098 in one name or both names? the IRS says is what to do if you don't get the interest form, as seen  on page 11 of About Publication 530, Tax Information for Homeowners is:

More than one borrower. If you and at least one other person (other than your spouse if you file a joint return) were liable for and paid interest on a mortgage that was for your home, and the other person received a Form 1098 showing the interest that was paid during the year, attach a statement to your paper return explaining this. Show how much of the interest each of you paid, and give the name and address of the person who received the form. Deduct your share of the interest on Schedule A (Form 1040), line 8b, and enter “See attached” to the right of that line.

2. The IRS believes you should claim the part for which you pay. The IRS doesn't have much to say about how that is determined. Do you have a shared account? Does one person pay the mortgage while the other pays groceries and light?  However you split the bills and pay them is how you live. Just be prepared to show how you determined who claims how much.

As a couple that has set up your finances, you can arrange them to pay bills as you please. The IRS has this chart of deductibility from Pub 936.

This would be a judgement call on your part for what you feel could be proven to the IRS,

Single or single and head of household (if a child  or parent  or other person is involved- maybe) for the filing status.