I agree with your hesitation.
You cannot claim you are married if you are not recognized as married. Common law marriage is determined by your state, and filing joint common law returns is also pretty uncommon. This issue needs to be settled first and foremost. How much research and advice did you get on the common law question? Who advised you? Did the person research it, or just blurt it out? What state are you in?
Although common law joint filing is pretty uncommon, I do want to emphasize that it is possible that you are married.
You can share a policy with someone who is not on your taxes- having to do that is actually pretty common.
That's how you split a policy with someone who isn't on your return. On that note, keep in mind that even married people aren't required to file returns together.
I agree with your hesitation.
You cannot claim you are married if you are not recognized as married. Common law marriage is determined by your state, and filing joint common law returns is also pretty uncommon. This issue needs to be settled first and foremost. How much research and advice did you get on the common law question? Who advised you? Did the person research it, or just blurt it out? What state are you in?
Although common law joint filing is pretty uncommon, I do want to emphasize that it is possible that you are married.
You can share a policy with someone who is not on your taxes- having to do that is actually pretty common.
That's how you split a policy with someone who isn't on your return. On that note, keep in mind that even married people aren't required to file returns together.