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Level 1
posted Oct 25, 2023 3:52:34 PM

New Home Buyers and Newlyweds in 2023! Help! Best way to file taxes

Hi there!

 

Big life changes in 2023 this year. We got married (September) and bought our first home (in both names) in May and have been filing our taxes through TurboTax for years. We are unsure how to complete our taxes for this year. To file together? File separate? Looking for some guidance! Thanks so much!

 

Gary and Julie

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1 Best answer
Employee Tax Expert
Oct 25, 2023 4:00:52 PM

Hello JScheckler,

Congratulations on becoming new home owners and newlyweds!

For most people, filing married filing joint will give you the best tax benefits. You will have a higher standard deduction amount for filing as married filing joint, and many credits will be available for the two of you to use.
The IRS encourages people to file as married filing joint by giving tax breaks to couples that file together.

If you are married and file separate, most tax payers end up paying a higher tax rate than if they filed jointly.

In 2023, Married Filing Separately taxpayers only receive a Standard Deduction of $13,850 compared to the $27,700 offered to those who filed jointly. That big difference usually helps a newly married couple pay less in taxes as a family unit, then continuing to file apart.



When you are ready to file your taxes for 2023, you can decide which TurboTax account you want to use in order to file your taxes. It doesn't matter whose name is on top of the tax return when you file a joint return.

For more information about filing jointly or separately, feel free to review the following TurboTax website: https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/marriage/should-you-and-your-spouse-file-taxes-jointly-or-separately/L7gyjnqyM 

Thanks,
Sean

3 Replies
Employee Tax Expert
Oct 25, 2023 4:00:52 PM

Hello JScheckler,

Congratulations on becoming new home owners and newlyweds!

For most people, filing married filing joint will give you the best tax benefits. You will have a higher standard deduction amount for filing as married filing joint, and many credits will be available for the two of you to use.
The IRS encourages people to file as married filing joint by giving tax breaks to couples that file together.

If you are married and file separate, most tax payers end up paying a higher tax rate than if they filed jointly.

In 2023, Married Filing Separately taxpayers only receive a Standard Deduction of $13,850 compared to the $27,700 offered to those who filed jointly. That big difference usually helps a newly married couple pay less in taxes as a family unit, then continuing to file apart.



When you are ready to file your taxes for 2023, you can decide which TurboTax account you want to use in order to file your taxes. It doesn't matter whose name is on top of the tax return when you file a joint return.

For more information about filing jointly or separately, feel free to review the following TurboTax website: https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/marriage/should-you-and-your-spouse-file-taxes-jointly-or-separately/L7gyjnqyM 

Thanks,
Sean

Level 1
Oct 25, 2023 4:11:27 PM

Thanks! Appreciate your assistance! 

Employee Tax Expert
Oct 25, 2023 4:27:50 PM

Thanks for the thanks, it is appreciated!
I would suggest signing up for TurboTax live and contact us once you begin your return.

With TurboTax Live, you have unlimited access to help including from credentialed tax experts. You can contact us as many times as you need to confidently file your return. You will also be given the option for a targeted review of your tax return when you are finished prior to e-filing.
Thanks,
Sean