Are you sure? How come it's better? It is usually the worse way to file. Many people think they come out better when filing Married Filing Separate but they are probably doing it wrong. If one person itemizes deductions then the other one must itemize too, even if it's less than the standard deduction, even if it is ZERO!
Unless you have a specific reason to file separate returns,
It is usually better to file Joint. Joint has the lowest tax rates and the highest Standard Deduction. And if you are in a Community Property state MFS gets tricky to figure out.
And there are several credits you can't take when filing separately, like the
EITC Earned Income Tax Credit
Child Care Credit
Educational Deductions and Credits
And contributions to IRA and ROTH IRA are limited when you file MFS.
See …….
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately</a>
MFS is not the same as Single.
In Comm Prop states, you must split your incomes, deductions,etc 50/50.
Well when we file jointly our refund came back less than if we filed separately. We don't use child care, neither of us are in school currently, we did just have a child but only one of us currently has a 401k.
"we did just have a child" When you file MFS, only one of you can claim the child. Was he/she born on 2017? Be sure to indicate that the baby lived with you all year (which is okay for newborns).
( Community property states: AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)
What do you mean "I claimed her" You CANNOT claim a spouse as a dependent whether you file married joint or married separate.
You are in a community property state--which really makes filing separately very tricky. And by filing separately you cannot get earned income credit and you get less child tax credit.
Well we don't qualify for the EIC due to our joint income and our child tax credit stayed at $1000.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p555.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p555.pdf</a>
Profanity is not permitted on this forum. And we are just trying to help you.
BECAUSE THAT WAS SOOOO HELPFUL, she wasn't even trying to answer my question. I think we are all adults and Im sure help feelings are just fine.
Sorry--that was snarky. We are trying to help you though and you are clinging to filing separately against all advice to the contrary.
Texas is community property unless the taxpayers have a valid pre or post nuptial agreement opting out of the community property system. All items of income, withholding and expenses are generally split 50/50. Certain income such as pensions, IRA distribution, RR retirement are not subject to community property splitting nor is any withholding from those items. They are considered separate property. Income from partnership or s corps is also community property, as is self_ employment income though the self employment tax belongs to whoever earned it...ownership interest of the entity may be separate property depending on the facts. Be careful if you do a married separate return in Texas. If not correct it will trigger an audit. If this happens, in an audit a person can request innocent spouse relief per Section 66(c) as discussed in Rev Proc 2013-34. Check the Pub.
Okay, TX is a Community Property State. You have to split your incomes, withholdings etc 50/50. For example:
Husband wages $50,000
Wife wages 10,000
60,000
So you each claim $30,000 on your respective MFS returns.
Yes, thank you! I just didn't understand what they were wanting.
The Child Tax Credit is reduced to half ($500) of the amount of a joint return. Be sure you are filing as MFS, not Single.