My fiance and I have 3 kids. We're not married and she's a stay at home mom with no income. Would we benefit more during tax time by getting married?

[devron2014]

70k income in Maine.

[Bsch4477]

Filing married jointly is an advantageous filing status but is generally not used for the sole reason to marry. 😊

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

 If you were legally married, then you would have a much bigger standard deduction, making less of your income taxable.

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 $29,200 (+ $1550 for each spouse 65 or older)  for 2024. 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. 

[xmasbaby0]

Agreeing with Champ @Bsch4477  -- there might be tax advantages to getting married, but much more importantly--are you prepared to take vows similar to these?

I, _____, take thee, _____, to be my (wife/husband/partner), to have and to hold from this day forward, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I promise to love and cherish you all the days of my life.

[devron2014]

Thank you folks. The ONLY reason we haven't gotten married is because I could claim her as a dependant and got more back. It sounds lame but in we had kids young and we had to stretch every penny. I think we'll tie the knot after learning this. Thank you!