Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Oct 18, 2023 5:30:18 PM

What filing status, do I need to use if I'm married but separated living at the same address on two different properties?

0 2 377
2 Replies
Level 15
Oct 18, 2023 5:35:07 PM

 

If you were legally married at the end of 2022 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.

 

 

Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $25,900 (+$1400 for each spouse 65 or older)  You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit. 

 

If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return. Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)

 

 

 If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice.

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901162-married-filing-separately-in-community-property-states

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separately

Level 15
Oct 18, 2023 7:03:23 PM

@maravillanewlife your real question is whether you two are willing to sign the same tax return.

 

if yes, then you are Married- Filing Joint 

if no, then you are Married - Filing Separate 

 

The fact is you are married so these are your only choices.

 

Whether you live under the same roof or different roofs is immaterial to determining the filing status (unless there are children involved and HOH comes into play)