Filing Status

[Dylan4mom]

Hello,  I got married 7/17/23.  My husband and I both work full time.  Is it better to file married jointly or separate?  Should the higher salary claim head of household?  Thank you.

[BettieG]

Hi Dylan4mom!  Congratulations on your marriage!

It is almost always preferable to file Married Filing Jointly rather than Married Filing Separately, on your federal tax return, and you can do so even if you got married on the last day of the year.  That said, there are a few states that allow you to file Married Filing Separately for the state return, even though you filed Married Filing Jointly on your federal return.  TurboTax will offer you that option if it is available in your state and if it is beneficial for  you to do so.

As for Head of Household, you cannot be married on the last day of the year and use this filing status.  

I hope this helps!