First year married, if filing jointly which spouse files?

[jenniferose8]

First year filing as married. Pre-marriage, I got refunds and spouse owed taxes. Spouse in an independent contractor (doesn't pay taxes throughout year) and I have only one employer (DO pay taxes throughout year). Is there a benefit to me filing vs her filing if filing jointly?

[KrisD]

The IRS does not stipulate whose name should be listed first on a Married Filing Jointly tax return.

When you file Married Filing Jointly, you are both filing together.

It is not as if one of you are filing and claiming the other one as a dependent.

The IRS does state that which ever taxpayer is listed first on your first tax return together, is continued to be listed first on all future tax returns.

For more detailed information, click the link below:

CLICK HERE for IRS Pub 501 Exemptions, Standard Deduction, Filing Information