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Returning Member
posted Jan 29, 2020 12:54:23 PM

Tax Year Prior to 2020: Ithought if we filed jointly then it would be the same amount if my husband filed. So I did, then saw if I filed my husbands income we'd get $1600 extra than what we got.

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6 Replies
Expert Alumni
Jan 29, 2020 1:13:52 PM

Do you have a question?

Returning Member
Feb 3, 2020 12:27:05 PM

Yes I think I messed up but my taxes have already been accepted. 

Expert Alumni
Feb 3, 2020 12:38:58 PM

Married couples can file either Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately on their Federal tax returns.

 

Under certain conditions, starting with not living in the same house for more than 6 months of the year, one or both of the parties can file Head of Household.

 

It is more advantageous for most couples to file jointly rather than separately. In general, the IRS encourages couples to file a joint tax return by extending several tax breaks to those that do, while denying the tax breaks to those who file separately.

 

Couples who file jointly can claim the following deductions, while those filing separately cannot:

 

There is more information about filing Married Filing Jointly and Married Filing Separately here.

Expert Alumni
Feb 3, 2020 12:44:20 PM

When you filed the return, did you file as married filing jointly or married filing separately? Did you include your husbands information with yours on the return? Or did you plan on filing his separately?

Expert Alumni
Feb 3, 2020 1:13:26 PM

Whether or not you file jointly or separately is your choice but generally, if you are married it is more advantageous to file jointly. 

This link. Should You and Your Spouse File Taxes Jointly or Separately?  has information that you may find useful.

 

 

Returning Member
Feb 3, 2020 1:21:50 PM

It never asked me for his info besides his social and numbers from 2018. I thought married filing jointly meant the same amount of money.  But i figured something went wrong when i filed off his W-2 and realized the my numbers from my taxes are different then what we would've gotten if i would've used his info ? I'm honestly confused at this point and I'm just going to take my taxes somewhere because something didn't go right.