Wife filed separately and standard deduction but i itemize my business… help?

[Alinagm]

My wife and I are filing separately and I just was made aware that she filed already and took standard deduction, while I had planned to file itemized. Wife knows I have significant deductions From my business costs. A few questions please:

1. if I file itemized, will both of us get a fine? How much?

2. If I file itemized does this cause my wife to refile and lose any and all deductions? Will I also lose the deductions entirely?

3. How much is the fine?

4. By her filing first, does she get an upper hand and force me to file the same as her?

thx much

[DoninGA]

Itemized deductions on Schedule A are Only for personal deductions, not business.

You enter your business expense deductions on Schedule C.

[Mike9241]

she filed first, so it you can itemize your deductions (those that go on schedule A, not business expenses that go on schedule C), you're out of luck. if you do itemize on schedule A the IRS may accept your return but expect a notice questioning this.  

[VolvoGirl]

Business expenses are not itemized deductions.  Business goes on Schedule C not A.

And may I ask why you are filing separate returns?  Sometimes people don't realize the differences between filing  Joint and MFS.

Unless you have a specific reason to file separate returns,

It is usually better to file Joint. Joint has the lowest tax rates and the highest Standard Deduction.   And if you are in a Community Property state MFS gets tricky to figure out.

Many people think they come out better when filing Married Filing Separate but they are probably doing it wrong.  If one person itemizes deductions on Schedule A then the other one must itemize too, even if it's less than the standard deduction, even if it is ZERO!  

And there are several credits you can't take when filing separately, like the

EITC Earned Income Tax Credit

Child Care Credit

Educational Deductions and Credits

And contributions to IRA and ROTH IRA are limited when you file MFS.

Also if you file Married Filing Separately up to 85`% of your Social Security becomes taxable right away even with zero other income.

See …….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/married/help/is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-...