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New Member
posted Feb 13, 2025 7:07:43 PM

MFS question

Hi

With married filing separately…

my ex wife will not tell me how she is filing this year, itemized vs standard deduction under the married filing separate option.

I’m ready to file, she waits till April.

So if I want to file now, and I choose standard deduction, what happens to my return if in April she chooses to itemize? Does she not have a choice, or would the IRS come back to me and make me itemize? I see lots of ‘if one itemizes, both must itemize’ type answers, but not an answer specific to my situation. 
Thank you!

 

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Feb 14, 2025 2:17:15 AM

if you were married on 12/31/2024 MFS is a valid filing option. if not, your filing status would be single or head of household if you had a qualifying dependent. you don't need any of your ex's info and it doesn't matter what she does standard or itemized.  

2 Replies
Level 15
Feb 13, 2025 7:36:13 PM

What do you mean by "ex-wife?"  Are you still legally married?   Or are you divorced?

Level 15
Feb 14, 2025 2:17:15 AM

if you were married on 12/31/2024 MFS is a valid filing option. if not, your filing status would be single or head of household if you had a qualifying dependent. you don't need any of your ex's info and it doesn't matter what she does standard or itemized.