How to Choose Your Tax Filing Status if You’re Married
If you’re married then you’ve probably just always filed a joint return with your spouse. In fact, chances are you’ve never even considered filing any other way. However, for some people, married filing jointly is not the best option. Depending on your situation, it could be more advantageous to file separately. Here are some things to consider when choosing what filing status to use if you are married.
While in many cases, filing together could help lessen the tax hit on you and your spouse it doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes, the only advantage of filing jointly is that you only have to worry about one return. If you and your spouse both work and one of you earns a lot more than the other, then it will typically be better to file jointly, as it will usually help reduce your combined tax bill.
On the other hand, there are other circumstances wherein it that might better to file separately. For example, if you both have taxable income and one of you has a lot of itemized deductions limited by adjusted gross income (AGI), then it might make sense to file separately. That’s because by filing separately, you can also separate both of your AGI’s. If your AGIs are lower on your separate returns, you can save on your tax bill.
This is just one example of where filing separately from your spouse could be helpful. However, it’s best to weigh all your options before making that choice. If you’re not sure what status to choose, you can contact us at GROCO for help. We’ll look at all the numbers and all the possible scenarios and choose the best path for you. Call us at 1-877-CPA-2006, or click here.
Behind In Your Tax Debt to the IRS? Try Negotiating
Tax Debt to the IRS? Try Negotiating Do you remember that part in the movie A Christmas Story where Ralphie, as the narrator, proclaims in reference to his father: “The old man loved bargaining as much as an Arab trader…and he was twice as shrewd”? Well, if you enjoy a good bargain or barter, then…
Could This Be the End to an American Icon in the U.S.?
Could This Be the End to an American Icon in the U.S.? Samuel Adams was one of our great Country’s founding fathers and an American statesman. However, despite his political accolades and contributions to the United States, his name might be better known as a brand of beer. That right; if you asked who Sam…
Don’t Tempt the Taxman to Choose You for an Audit
Don’t Tempt the Taxman to Choose You for an Audit There are a lot of benefits to being ultra wealthy. High net worth individuals get to experience so many things in life that most people can only dream of. The wealthy also enjoy an extravagant lifestyle that other people only get to watch in movies…
How Long Does the IRS Have to Audit You?
How Long Does the IRS Have to Audit You? Some people love surprises, like when you get that perfect gift for Christmas or your birthday that you weren’t expecting in a million years. Some surprises can be a great, like getting more back in your tax return than you were expecting, or receiving a raise…