Joint filing separately

[lancegalenjohnso]

how to get the standard deduction for filing separately?

[bosso3]

If you mean Married, filing separately, and you do not itemize deductions, turbotax will give you the standard deduction, which is $12,550 this year.

https://apps.irs.gov/app/vita/content/00/00_13_005.jsp

Note that filing jointly will often save you money, if you can do that with your spouse.

[Vanessa A]

The standard deduction of $12,550 is automatically applied when you choose Married Filing a separate return and indicate that your spouse is NOT itemizing their return.  If they are itemizing their return, you cannot get the standard deduction, you would need to take the itemized deduction as well.

Filing a joint return saves some people money, but not everyone. Many people, especially those without kids and that have income above a level where they do not qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, make out better filing separate returns.