Taxes...

shan87

For those Ladies that are or will be married before the end of the year. Will you file joint taxes next April?

I'm curious as to how that all works. I know the martial status will change but don't know if you spend the majority of the previous year unmarried if you file joint or not.

TIA!

LauraMC09

We're planning on filing jointly. Generally you get pretty good tax breaks for filing jointly rather than individually, but there are exceptions. If you're planning on doing your own (with turbotax or some software like that), you could try it both ways, and see which will be better, but you can file jointly even if you get married Dec. 31st, if that's what your main question is.

shan87

laura that is.
Our situation is complicated to say the least so I don't want to bore with my details.
I was thinking about this last night and figured here was the best place to ask

EmilyCMN

I believe H&R Block  told me last year you file married if you are married as of Dec. 31st. I don't believe it matters if you weren't married for most of the year... I think that is what you are asking. I would ask a professional though, after we bought the house and I got a real job I don't even try to do my own anymore!

debbieupper

I was just wondering this, too, so thanks for posting! 

threemarie24

I got married in March, and changed everything over soon after. We have not, and will not combine monies until we start having a family. However we ARE going to file together. We think it'll just be easier. 

We got married in Vegas and I heard  there is a law that if you do not file jointly the next year you are legally divorced. I guess since there are so many people who get married in Vegas and then do not know who or how to get in connect with the other half?? I also am not sure if this is actually 100% true. but funny huh!??

shan87

debbie this is what I found from IRS for filing and name change cluster!

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=105969,00.html

debbieupper

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_taxes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:81Discussion:7c292f1e-489e-48c1-a680-1c9137b51ca4Post:72b2eb67-6f43-4fd2-b395-8049a10ffe84">Re: Taxes...</a>:
[QUOTE]debbie this is what I found from IRS for filing and name change cluster! <a href="http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0" rel="nofollow">http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0</a> ,,id=105969,00.html
Posted by shan87[/QUOTE]

<div>Thanks, Shan! I'm glad I got the SS change taken care of. I guess I should have my work change my W-2 to my new name so they match up! </div>

EmilyCMN

Well I think even when you are married you can still file separately but you have to check married, I don't think that is the same thing as filing separately as a single person. So that shouldn't matter for the Vegas stuff, as long as you check married you can still have separate returns. Your tax rate will be the same whether you file one form or two that is why I was totally confused when the tax guy was explaining it to us last year. I can't remember why they had the separate returns for married people... there was a reason but I don't remember. I plan to file on return when we get married, it should save us some money to only have them do our paperwork one time.

beka0404

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_taxes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:81Discussion:7c292f1e-489e-48c1-a680-1c9137b51ca4Post:959e67a2-8599-4af9-8421-e59ddb20fe44">Re: Taxes...</a>:
[QUOTE]I can't remember why they had the separate returns for married people... there was a reason but I don't remember.
Posted by EmilyCMN[/QUOTE]

<div>This option is offered for people who are separated but not legally divorced, for married couples who live apart, etc.</div><div>
</div><div>Shan - like PPs mentioned, as long as you are married by 12/31/11, your 2011 taxes can be filed joint. Just like how babies born on 12/31 count as a deduction for that year. If you're looking to change your amount of net income (instead of waiting for a bigger tax refund due to your filing status changing), you would change your withholding on your W2s. Your HR rep should be able to help you with the technicalities and timelines for W2s. </div>

kaylas16

Ditto the previous posters... what ever you are on 12/31/11 is how you file. So if you are married on that date it counts as married for the year.  (Yay for being an accountant.... although I am not good with taxes!)