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New Member
posted May 31, 2019 8:17:55 PM

Filing Jointly vs separately

0 2 856
1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
May 31, 2019 8:17:56 PM

If you are asking which status if more beneficial - filing jointly is generally- it allows practically all credits and deductions if you qualify for them and it gives you a bigger refund or less tax due. Filing separately has a higher tax rate and you lose many tax credits:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...

If you are asking how to compare both statuses in TurboTax: 

  • If you are using TurboTax online - you would have to create three separate accounts and prepare two separate returns, then one joint - and compare the results.
  • If you are using cd/download software, see article below:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/4775330

2 Replies
Expert Alumni
May 31, 2019 8:17:56 PM

If you are asking which status if more beneficial - filing jointly is generally- it allows practically all credits and deductions if you qualify for them and it gives you a bigger refund or less tax due. Filing separately has a higher tax rate and you lose many tax credits:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...

If you are asking how to compare both statuses in TurboTax: 

  • If you are using TurboTax online - you would have to create three separate accounts and prepare two separate returns, then one joint - and compare the results.
  • If you are using cd/download software, see article below:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/4775330

New Member
May 31, 2019 8:18:00 PM

The answer also depends on the State income tax, which sometimes is more favorable to the Married Filing Separately (MFS) status.