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Can a married couple filing separately choose to itemize deductions for one spouse and take the standard deduction for the other spouse?
Yes, a married couple filing separately can choose to itemize deductions for one spouse and take the standard deduction for the other spouse.
What are the tax benefits for a married couple filing jointly or a qualifying surviving spouse?
Married couples filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouses may benefit from lower tax rates, a higher standard deduction, and eligibility for various tax credits and deductions.
What is the exemption for spouse in regards to tax deductions?
The exemption for a spouse in tax deductions allows married couples to reduce their taxable income by a certain amount for their spouse. This can help lower the overall tax burden for the couple.
If you are married filing separately can you deduct half of the mortgage interest paid?
You may be able to claim itemized deductions on a separate return for certain expenses that you paid separately or jointly with your spouse. Deductible expenses that are paid out of separate funds, such as medical expenses, are deductible by the spouse who pays them. If these expenses are paid from community funds, the deduction may depend on whether or not you live in a community property state. In a community property state, the deduction is, generally, divided equally between you and your spouse. For more information refer to Publication 555, Community Property.For more information go to www.irs.gov and use the search boxes for the publication and tax topic. Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information Tax Topic 353, What is your filing status Publication 504 , Divorced or Separated IndividualsAnd if you live in a community property state you could have other considerations to think about.
Who can receive an unlimited marital deduction when there is an outright bequest of stock?
An unlimited marital deduction can be received by a surviving spouse when there is an outright bequest of stock, regardless of the value of the bequest. This allows the transfer of assets between spouses to occur without incurring federal estate taxes at the time of transfer. The surviving spouse must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this deduction. If these conditions are met, the bequest of stock can be transferred tax-free to the surviving spouse.
Can a married couple filing separately choose to itemize deductions for one spouse and take the standard deduction for the other spouse?
Yes, a married couple filing separately can choose to itemize deductions for one spouse and take the standard deduction for the other spouse.
If a married couple files taxes separate do they have to file the same?
I don't know what you mean by "file the same." One possible thing you might mean: If your filing status is "married filing separately" and your spouse itemizes deductions, then you must also itemize deductions. (Technically, the rule is that your standard deduction is reduced to $0.)
If you are Married Filing Separately can you each deduct half of the property tax?
Maybe. If each of you paid one-half of the property tax, then each may deduct one-half. A deduction may be taken only by the person who was required to pay it and who actually paid it. If only one spouse paid the property tax, that spouse may deduct it. If one spouse itemizes deductions, the other spouse must also itemize, even if the first spouse is entitled to all of the deductions; i.e., the other spouse has few or no deductions.
What is the difference in filing married single or married jointly?
Usually it is more beneficial to file as married filing joint than it is to file as married filing separate. To answer your question you will have to prepare a return both ways using the correct standard deduction for each filing status and if one itemizes the other should itemize also as the others standard deduction is -0-. If you do not itemize then the standard deduction for each is $5,700 for 2009.For more information go to the IRS.gov web site and use the search boxes for the publication and tax topic. Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information Tax Topic 353, What is your filing status Publication 504 , Divorced or Separated IndividualsAnd if you live in a community property state you could have other considerations to think about.You may be able to claim itemized deductions on a separate return for certain expenses that you paid separately or jointly with your spouse. Deductible expenses that are paid out of separate funds, such as medical expenses, are deductible by the spouse who pays them. If these expenses are paid from community funds, the deduction may depend on whether or not you live in a community property state. In a community property state, the deduction is, generally, divided equally between you and your spouse. For more information refer to Publication 555, Community Property.
How do I know if I can use the 1040ez tax form instead of 1040A?
The 1040EZ are for people under the age of 65, filing either "Single" or "Married Filing Jointly" who are not claiming dependents and earned less than $100,000 in income. If you (and/or your spouse) are blind, plan to itemize your deductions, made more then $1500 in interest, or have any other situations that prevent you from taking the standard deduction, you are not eligible to file using the 1040EZ.
When would you have enough deductible expenses but decide not to itemize?
The most common case is when you and your spouse are filing separate returns. The law states that if you are married filing separately but you spouse itemizes, then your standard deduction is reduced to 0. A spouse may decide that it is more favorable in the aggregate to not itemized in other to let the other spouse claim the full standard deduction. There are also some strange interactions with the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) which takes away some of your itemized deductions, so some people may be better off just taking the standard deduction. Sometimes, people may know that some of their deductible expenses will be refunded in a future year (such as a state tax refund) and would rather not have to pay tax on the refunded amount in the future year. Also, some people may not have confidence in their ability to withstand an audit and may prefer to just play it safe (in their way of thinking).
How do I figure out which federal tax form is the right one to fill out?
If you are single with no dependents and no deductions then you can use the EZ form. If you are head of household with dependents and no deductions then use 1040A, Finally if you have lots of deductions with or without dependents or spouse you should use the 1040 which will allow you to itemize.
Split deductions when married filing separately?
You may be able to claim itemized deductions on a separate return for certain expenses that you paid separately or jointly with your spouse. Deductible expenses that are paid out of separate funds, such as medical expenses, are deductible by the spouse who pays them. If these expenses are paid from community funds, the deduction may depend on whether or not you live in a community property state. In a community property state, the deduction is, generally, divided equally between you and your spouse. For more information refer to Publication 555, Community Property.If you are receiving social security benefits on your MFS (married filing separate) on your 1040 federal tax return 85% of your SSB will be taxable income to you and would be added to all of your other gross worldwide income and taxed at your marginal tax rate.Usually it is more beneficial to file as married filing joint than it is to file as married filing separate. To answer your question you will have to prepare a return both ways using the correct standard deduction for each filing status and if one itemizes the other should itemize also as the others standard deduction is -0-. If you do not itemize then the standard deduction for each is $5,700 for 2009.For more information go to the IRS gov website and use the search box for the publications and tax topic. Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information Tax Topic 353, What is your filing status Publication 504 , Divorced or Separated IndividualsAnd if you live in a community property state you could have other considerations to think about.
Do married people have to file their taxes jointly?
No, but you will get a better return if you do. Married people must file either Married Filing Jointly (MFJ) or Married Filing Separately (MFS). Generally MFJ will give you more tax deductions, exemptions and tax credits. MFS, you cannot take the student loan interest deduction, the tuition and fees deduction, the education credits, or earned income tax credit. Also if your spouse itemizes deduction you must itemize deductions also, even if you would be better off taking the standard deduciton. Both spouses must use the same deduction method. If you are legally separated according to your state law under a decree of divorce or separate maintenance, you can file as a single filer.
What are the rules for married filing separately?
If you are receiving social security benefits your filing status is MFS (married filing separate) on your 1040 federal tax return 85% of your SSB will be taxable income to you and would be added to all of your other gross worldwide income and taxed at your marginal tax rate.Usually it is more beneficial to file as married filing joint than it is to file as married filing separate. To answer your question you will have to prepare a return both ways using the correct standard deduction for each filing status and if one itemizes the other should itemize also as the others standard deduction is -0-. If you do not itemize then the standard deduction for each is $5,700 for 2009.For more information go to the IRS gov website and use the search box for the publication and tax topic. Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information Tax Topic 353, What is your filing status Publication 504 , Divorced or Separated IndividualsAnd if you live in a community property state you could have other considerations to think about.You may be able to claim itemized deductions on a separate return for certain expenses that you paid separately or jointly with your spouse. Deductible expenses that are paid out of separate funds, such as medical expenses, are deductible by the spouse who pays them. If these expenses are paid from community funds, the deduction may depend on whether or not you live in a community property state. In a community property state, the deduction is, generally, divided equally between you and your spouse. For more information refer to Publication 555, Community Property.
What are the tax benefits for a married couple filing jointly or a qualifying surviving spouse?
Married couples filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouses may benefit from lower tax rates, a higher standard deduction, and eligibility for various tax credits and deductions.
Should you file taxes married filing jointly or married filing seprately?
This will have to be you and your spouse decision that both will have to make on your own.You should prepare a tax return both ways to determine which way will be best for you to file your income tax return.If you are receiving social security benefits on your MFS (married filing separate) on your 1040 federal tax return 85% of your SSB will be taxable income to you and would be added to all of your other gross worldwide income and taxed at your marginal tax rate.Usually it is more beneficial to file as married filing joint than it is to file as married filing separate. To answer your question you will have to prepare a return both ways using the correct standard deduction for each filing status and if one itemizes the other should itemize also as the others standard deduction is -0-. If you do not itemize then the standard deduction for each is $5,700 for 2009.For more information go to the IRS gov website and use the search box for the publications and tax topic. Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information Tax Topic 353, What is your filing status Publication 504 , Divorced or Separated IndividualsAnd if you live in a community property state you could have other considerations to think about.You may be able to claim itemized deductions on a separate return for certain expenses that you paid separately or jointly with your spouse. Deductible expenses that are paid out of separate funds, such as medical expenses, are deductible by the spouse who pays them. If these expenses are paid from community funds, the deduction may depend on whether or not you live in a community property state. In a community property state, the deduction is, generally, divided equally between you and your spouse. For more information refer to Publication 555, Community Property.
