Hi! I got married Dec 27, 2019, so i know our marriage affects this tax return. If we file separately but still as married, will it affect HIS tax return amount if I owe?

[xmasbaby0]

If you file separate returns, your spouse's refund is not impacted by you having tax due, if that is what you are asking.  But......

Why are you filing separate returns?  

If you were legally married at the end of 2019 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.

Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $24,400 (+$1300 for each spouse 65 or older)  You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit.

If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return. Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)

If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901162-married-filing-separately-in-community-property-states

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

[ColeenD3 · Accepted solution]

No, it will not affect his return. One of the reasons to file separately is to not co-join your income, etc. Your balance due is yours alone.

However, there are some disadvantages to filing separately.

 Pros

Here are some instances where it might be better to file separately:

•  If you or your spouse owe back taxes or child support, the IRS may keep some or all of your refund
• You or your spouse may have a combined income that raises your student loan payments
• Your spouse might not be totally honest in their reporting. (Happens often during a divorce.)
• You or your spouse may have a lot more medical expense than the other (and a significantly lower income)
• You and/or your spouse have a lot of medical expenses (especially if one spouse has a lower significantly lower income)
• You and your spouse both have similarly high incomes.

Cons

Although there is no one answer since every situation is different, generally filing jointly will give you a bigger refund or less taxes due. When you file separately, your tax rate is higher and you won't be able to claim:

• Student loan interest deduction

• Education benefits
• Earned Income Credit (EIC)
• Child and Dependent Care Credit (usually)
• Adoption Credit (usually)

• The same benefit married filing jointly couples get for personal exemptions, itemized deductions, the Child Tax Credit, and capital losses (all of these deductions are reduced by half)
• Itemized deductions if your spouse has already claimed the standard deduction, or the other way around.

On top of that, if you live in the community property states of Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, or Wisconsin, you have to deal with community property allocations and adjustments, which adds extra work and complexity to your tax preparation chore.