Marriage and taxes: When ‘I do’ becomes ‘we do’
Fast Facts:
LITTLE ROCK -- When it comes to filing taxes, married couples wonder whether “I do,” should become “we do.”
“Married individuals have the option to file joint or separate tax returns,” said Laura Connerly, assistant professor-family and consumer economics for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “Make the most of your tax dollar by choosing the best option for your financial situation.”
Connerly said that for most couples, there are more advantages to filing jointly.
“However, there are a few instances when you might want to file separately,” she said. “Some deductible expenses are limited based on a percentage of your adjusted gross income. So, if one person had a large amount of, for example, medical expenses and a smaller income; that individual might be able to deduct a larger portion by filing separately.”
Joint filers often benefit from higher income limits for tax credits and greater allowable deductions.
“If you’re married, you must file jointly to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, education credits, and credits/exclusion for adoption expenses,” Connerly said. “Other credits or deductions may be limited for married couples who file separately.”
Same-sex couples that are legally married by state law are eligible to file a joint federal tax return.
For all couples, “you can prepare your taxes both ways – on a joint return and on separate returns – to find out which method gives you the lowest total due or highest combined refund,” she said.
See all of the rules for filing status and tax credits from the Internal Revenue Service at www.irs.gov. IRS Publication 501 has 2014 filing status information for married couples. Individuals or families with a combined household income of $60,000 or less in 2014 can file free online with IRS free file or at myfreetaxes.com. Find locations and details for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (age 60 and older) at http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers
The Cooperative Extension Service is your source for reliable, research-based information to improve quality of life. Discover the latest recommendations for money management, nutrition, health, parenting, relationships, and personal development. Visit our website at www.uaex.uada.edu.
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
# # #
By Mary Hightower
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
Related Links