Can couples married in 2016 file jointly? I have heard in Ohio there is a marriage penalty, so I'm not sure if I should do that or if we are even eligible.

[lorarodd]

If I was married in August of 2016 and only married the last half of the year, am I still eligible to file jointly?  I am not sure if we even should because I have heard there is a marriage penalty in Ohio.  But are we eligible to file jointly anyway if we were only married a few months of 2016?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

If you were married at the end of 2016 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.

Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will each receive the $4050 personal exemption, plus the married filing jointly standard deduction of $12,600 (add $1250 for each spouse over the age of 65).  You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit. 

If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return. Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable.  In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit.  If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income.  If you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice

[TomD8]

And no, you CANNOT file both jointly and separately.  It's one or the other.  And as xmasbaby pointed out, a joint return is better for most married couples for the reasons she stated.