Should You File Taxes Jointly If You're Married Without Children or a Mortgage? Finance. The decision to file jointly or separately depends on a couple's circumstances. Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images. Married couples have the choice whether to file joint or separate tax returns. Most file jointly - - whether or not they have children or a mortgage - - and for most couples, filing separately would result in a larger tax bill, because IRS rules eliminate or reduce certain tax deductions and credits for married couples filing separately. In some circumstances, however, filing separately may be the better option. The decision must be based on your own unique circumstances. Tax Hits. For a childless married couple without a mortgage, the deduction rules affecting children and mortgages are irrelevant to the decision whether to file jointly or separately. But a decision to file separately will affect a number of other credits and deductions the couple may be entitled to take. For instance, if you file separate returns, neither you nor your spouse can take the earned income credit even if you would otherwise qualify for it. No Education Breaks. Married couples who file separately cannot take advantage of education- related tax breaks. Neither spouse can claim the American opportunity credit or the lifetime learning credit. Neither spouse can claim a deduction for student loan interest or for college tuition and fees - - nor can either spouse exclude from income the interest on U. S. savings bonds cashed in to pay college expenses. Other Drawbacks. The tax rules for married couples who file separately require that both spouses must either take the standard deduction, or both must itemize. The IRS won’t allow one spouse to itemize while the other takes the standard deduction. If they both take the standard deduction, each spouse can deduct only half the amount allowed on a joint return. The credit for retirement savings contributions and deductions for investment losses will be half those allowed on a joint return. You will lose the elderly and disabled credit. And if you file separately and had an adjusted gross income greater than $1. Should a married couple ever file taxes. and pay taxes on it this year. 'You cannot do a Roth conversion if you file married. When you file jointly. When a married couple file taxes separately. it may be best to file taxes separately. When you file a joint tax return. Should Couples File Taxes Jointly or. The author is a Forbes. Kanye West File Taxes Separately, Should You? be worse than you might think. If you file jointly and later face. . you have two options on how to file your income taxes: You can file. The vast majority of married couples file jointly. You. This is something you should. Should Couples File Taxes Separately or. Should Couples File Taxes Separately or Jointly? when you file separately. When filing jointly, you and. Roth IRA if your spouse lived with you at any time during the year. Why File Separately. There are circumstances where separate filing may be the better choice. For instance, if one spouse paid major deductible expenses that are limited by adjusted gross income, separate filing can reduce the income thresholds for that spouse and give a larger deduction. Income- limited deductions include medical expenses, limited in 2. AGI and miscellaneous deductions limited to the amount exceeding 2 percent of AGI. Or, if one spouse faces a big tax liability because of insufficient withholding or payments, filing separately absolves the other spouse of any responsibility for the taxes owed. Photo Credits. Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images. About the Author. Herb Kirchhoff has more than three decades of hands- on experience as an avid garden hobbyist and home handyman. Since retiring from the news business in 2. Should You and Your Spouse File Taxes Jointly or. The best way to find out if you should file jointly or separately with your spouse is to prepare the tax. Should Couples File Taxes Separately or Jointly? Should Couples File Taxes Separately or Jointly? Should you both itemize. Should You File Taxes Jointly If You're Married Without Children or a Mortgage? by Herb Kirchhoff, studioD. Is it better to file taxes jointly or separately when you are married? Both tax returns have their individual benefits and disadvantages. Calculate tax credits and. Kirchhoff takes care of a 1. Michigan lakefront property and applies his experience to his vegetable and flower gardens and home repair and renovation projects.
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