Yes that is the way that it should be done to make sure that the tax return is prepared correctly and each taxpayer signs the income tax return after it is completed correctly
The minimum income required to file US. income taxes for tax year 2009 depends on your age and what your filing status is: If single and under 65, you must file taxes if you earn $9,350. If single and 65 or older, you must file taxes if you earn $10,750. If married filing jointly, with both spouses under 65, you must file if you earn $18,700. If married filing jointly, with one spouse 65 or older, you must file if you earn $19,800. If married filing jointly, with both spouses 65 or older, you must file if you earn $20,900. If married but filing separately, any age, you must file if you earn only $3,650. If filing as head of household and under 65, you must file if you earn $12,000. If filing as head of household and 65 or older, you must file if you earn $13,400. If you are a qualifying widower with a dependent child and under 65, you must file if you earn $15,050. If you are a qualifying widower with a dependent child and 65 or older, you must file if you earn $16,150.
While each situation is unique, you would both be best served by filing jointly which effectively does all you ask.
Joint filers are both responsible for the entire tax bill. If the unpaid taxes are from a year that the couple filed jointly, the wife is fully responsible for any unpaid taxes unless she can meet the qualifications for innocent spouse relief. After the filing deadline, a joint return cannot be amended to separate returns. If there are unpaid taxes from 2008, the wife can still file a separate return for 2008. If a joint return has been filed for 2008, they have until April 15, 2009 to amend.
I suggest not filing a joint return. Using the Married Filing Separately filing status will not allow you to claim some tax benefits and you won't have the benefits of combining your income, but it will save you if your spouse is audited. If you file jointly, you will be fully responsible for the taxes on the omitted income. Filing a joint return creates something called "joint & several liability" which means you are both responsible for the entire tax liability, even if it's later adjusted because one spouse omitted income or committed tax evasion. Read IRS Publication 971 to find out the difficulty of not being held responsible for your spouse's actions. That's why I recommend not filing a joint return with your spouse. The benefits will not be worth the cost if they are caught evading taxes.
Getting married often helps reduce the tax burden provided that you file a joint return. Whereas a single tax payer will receive a $5,450 standard deduction, a married couple filing jointly receives a $10,900 for 2008. Of course the fact that filing jointly tends to reduce the tax burden is a general rule, you should check with a competent accountant for your specific circumstances in order to verify that it is in your best interest to file this way. If you prepare your own returns there are some softwares that will automatically calculate both joint and separate filing for you to decide the best way to file. One of the downsides of filing joint returns is in the case where there is a tax liability, in which case both spouses become liable. Hope this helps. Roger Hadad, Effectur Inc, www.irs101.blogspot.com
To file taxes jointly with your spouse, both of you must agree to file together and meet the IRS requirements for filing jointly. You will need to combine your income, deductions, and credits on one tax return. You can do this by using the married filing jointly status when filling out your tax forms.
When filing taxes as married filing jointly on a W-4 form, both spouses combine their income and deductions. This can result in a lower tax rate and higher deductions. When filing separately, each spouse reports their own income and deductions, which can sometimes lead to a higher tax rate and fewer deductions.
When filing taxes as married filing separately, each spouse reports their own income and deductions separately. This can result in higher tax rates and fewer tax benefits. When filing jointly, both spouses combine their income and deductions, potentially resulting in lower tax rates and more tax benefits.
When filing taxes as married filing jointly, both spouses combine their income and deductions on one tax return. This can result in lower tax rates and higher deductions. When filing separately, each spouse files their own tax return, which may result in higher tax rates and fewer deductions.
If Oklahoma recognizes common law marriage, and you both present yourselves as husband and wife, you need to file married filing jointly or married filing separately. Head of household filing status is for single or divorced persons who have a qualifying child.
When filing taxes as married filing jointly on a W-4 form, both spouses combine their income and deductions on one tax return. This can result in lower tax rates and higher deductions. When filing as single on a W-4 form, only one person's income and deductions are considered, which may result in higher tax rates and lower deductions.
Any married person has the option of filing as "Married filing separately" which requires no reporting or signature of the spouse. You can also still file as "Married filing jointly" if you both wish to do so as long as you can get the spouse's signature.
When filling out a W-4 form as a married couple filing jointly, both spouses should complete the form together. Each spouse should indicate their marital status as married filing jointly and combine their income and deductions on the form. It's important to accurately calculate the total number of allowances to withhold the correct amount of taxes from each paycheck.
The minimum income required to file US. income taxes for tax year 2009 depends on your age and what your filing status is: If single and under 65, you must file taxes if you earn $9,350. If single and 65 or older, you must file taxes if you earn $10,750. If married filing jointly, with both spouses under 65, you must file if you earn $18,700. If married filing jointly, with one spouse 65 or older, you must file if you earn $19,800. If married filing jointly, with both spouses 65 or older, you must file if you earn $20,900. If married but filing separately, any age, you must file if you earn only $3,650. If filing as head of household and under 65, you must file if you earn $12,000. If filing as head of household and 65 or older, you must file if you earn $13,400. If you are a qualifying widower with a dependent child and under 65, you must file if you earn $15,050. If you are a qualifying widower with a dependent child and 65 or older, you must file if you earn $16,150.
The main difference between married filing jointly and married filing separately on a W-4 form is how couples choose to report their income and deductions to the IRS. When married filing jointly, both spouses combine their income and deductions on one tax return. When married filing separately, each spouse reports their income and deductions on separate tax returns.
While each situation is unique, you would both be best served by filing jointly which effectively does all you ask.
To fill out a W-4 form for married filing jointly, both spouses should complete one form together. Provide personal information, choose the married filing jointly status, and indicate the number of allowances based on your financial situation. Submit the form to your employer for tax withholding purposes.