Can my fiance and I arrange it so that one person itemizes and claims all of the home expenses while the other takes the standard deduction. We pay from a joint account.

[krizan628]

We are joint owners of the home and all expenses come out of a joint account.

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

Yes. That is smart tax planning.

In case of an audit, the person claiming the itemized deductions may have to prove he/she paid the expenses. At a minimum, you need to show that you deposited sufficient funds into the joint account to cover those expenses. Better proof would be if you paid  from separate accounts

[xmasbaby0]

NO!  If you file separate returns both spouses have to file the same way--either both itemize or both take standard deduction.

[Hal_Al]

That's only for filing Married filing separately. They are not married.

[xmasbaby0]

Whoops--I mis-read.

[krizan628]

So if I am reading this correctly If I can prove that I put sufficient funds into the joint account to cover the mortgage expenses then I should be okay in the case of an audit correct?  I would be the one claiming the deductions and my social security number is the one on the 1098 form.  My income is also a fair amount higher than my fiance's so the amount that we each put into the joint account is disproportionate.

[Hal_Al]

Yes.