Married last year and haven't updated W4

[tgibson87]

Wife and I got married last year and haven't updated our W4s. Changing them has always been on the to do list but kept getting overlooked. I don't mind the higher single rate of taxation for now but are we still able to file jointly come tax season? I just don't know how our withholding rate impacts our filing options. Any help?

[Anonymous]

you can always claim single if married on the W-4.  you'll just have more withholding than needed.    It will not affect your ability to file a joint return.   if you are still married on 12/31/2019, you'll have the option of either filing a joint return or each of you filing as married filing separately.        In most situations a joint return will result in the lowest taxes, or put another way, getting the biggest refund or owing the least amount of taxes.   

If you want to see what 2019 might look like you can used the estimated 2019 tax section in the 2018 software or use various free websites 

here's an IRS website for estimating withholding requirements

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

The W-4 you filled out with your employer does not dictate how you have to file your tax return.  It only affects how much tax the employer withholds from your paycheck.  It does not even go to the IRS. So by saying you are single you are just having a different amount withheld than if you said married on your W-4.

If you are 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 $24,000 (+$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...

Best Wishes!