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New Member
posted Jun 1, 2019 6:28:08 AM

My wife and i married in July last year. Since it was not six months, can we file joint or do we do it separately until next year?

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4 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Jun 1, 2019 6:28:10 AM

You qualify to file as married filing jointly or married filing separately. However, it is usually better to file as married filing jointly. Please view the TurboTax FAQ below for more information.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3288477

Level 15
Jun 1, 2019 6:28:12 AM

Your filing status goes by the last day of the year.  So even if you got married on Dec 31 you file Joint.

Did you both use Turbo Tax last year?

You can not transfer from or combine 2 returns or accounts.  Just pick the return for the spouse that has the most complicated return to enter or has any depreciation or business or  more investments.  Or use the account for whoever you want to be listed first going forward (by the way you can not change the order of the names).  Then add the other spouse's name, ssn and info to it.

You should usually  file a Joint return which is only 1 return combined for the both of you.  Make sure to stick with this one account for the future.  Just ignore the other spouse's account.

And info on Getting Married…..
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Family/Getting-Married/INF12006.html">http://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Family/Getting-Married/INF12006.html</a>
 
Is it better to file Joint or Separately?
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separately">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separately</a>

New Member
Jun 1, 2019 6:28:14 AM

She is on disability, she hasn't had to pay taxes for several years. Will this throw up all kinds of red flags. She's worried this will affect me.

Level 15
Jun 1, 2019 6:28:16 AM

No.  But if it’s SSDI you do need to enter it.  Part of it may become taxable depending on your total income.  But filing Joint you will get the highest Standard Deduction and a Personal Exemption firveach of you.

Up to 85% of Social Security becomes taxable when all your other income plus 1/2 your social security, reaches:
Married Filing Jointly: $32,000
Single or head of household: $25,000
Married Filing Separately: 0