My wife and I got married in September 2024. However, we did not update our W4s to "married - filing jointly" until the beginning of 2025. Can we still file this way?

[kevinphax11]

My wife and I got married in September 2024. However, we did not update our W4s to "married - filing jointly" until the beginning of 2025. Can we still file as "married - filing jointly" or do we need to both file separately?

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

What you enter on the W-4 that you give to your employer to withhold federal income taxes from your wages has no bearing whatsoever on the filing status you enter on your tax return.

If you are legally married as of 12/31/2024 then you can file as Married Filing Jointly on the 2024 tax return.

All income from all sources for the both of you will be entered on only one tax return when filing jointly.

[VolvoGirl]

Yes file a Joint return.  What you claim on the W4 at work doesn’t matter.   It doesn’t go to the IRS or affect your return.  If you had too much withholding taken out as Single you will get a refund.   

[MaryK4]

Yes, you can file Married Filing Jointly.  Your withholding may be off because it was not adjusted (it is possible you may owe because not enough was withheld), but you usually have better tax results filing jointly regardless.  

Congratulations on your marriage!