Can two people that stay in the same household file taxes separately?

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
January 2, 2024
3 replies
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A mom and dad file and a 28 yr old with dependents file separately ?

TurboTax Deluxe Online

Best answer by VolvoGirl

It probably won’t be lower tax bracket to file separately. Joint is almost always better. Here's some things to consider about filing separately……

In the first place you each have to file a separate return, so that's two returns. And if you are using the Online version that means using 2 accounts and paying the fees twice. The Desktop CD/Download program would be better to use.

Many people think they come out better when filing Married Filing Separate but they are probably doing it wrong. If one person itemizes deductions on Schedule A then the other one must itemize too, even if it's less than the standard deduction, even if it is ZERO! And if you are in a Community Property state it can be complicated to figure out.

And there are several credits you can't take when filing separately, like the

EITC Earned Income Tax Credit

Child Care Credit

Educational Deductions and Credits

And contributions to IRA and ROTH IRA are limited when you file MFS.

Also if you file Married Filing Separately up to 85`% of your Social Security becomes taxable right away even with zero other income.

See …….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/married/help/is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separately/00/25590

xmasbaby0

Employee

Yes, you can all file your own tax returns, even if you live within the same household and have the same mailing address. What exactly is the issue? Are you asking if tax returns can be filed by different people who live together? Or are you asking about using the tax software and sharing it? Please explain what you are trying to do.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

lbessette13Author

Was told that two people that stay in the same household can’t file using the same address cause it would get flagged and a penalty would be added to the filers account.

xmasbaby0

Employee

Who told you that? That information is incorrect and silly. Someone gave you poor advice. Think of roommates who live together----do you think they have problems when they file tax returns for themselves using the same mailing address? Or married couples who file married filing separately? They can use the same mailing address. It is very common for people living at the same mailing address to file their own tax returns -- for all kinds of reasons. Parents and dependent children can file their own returns ---- from the same mailing address. parents and their children who are no longer dependents---but still living at the same address--can also file their own tax returns. That does not result in being "flagged" or getting any sort of penalties.

Bsch4477

Employee

Mom and Dad can file their return and the 28 year old can file their own. But the 28 year old couldn’t file as Head of Household if Mom and Dad provided more than half the keeping up the home. The 28 year old would have to file as single or married separately, whichever applies.

Mike9241

For online preparation, each return needs its own account. The desktop versions - full pc or MaC 64 bit operating system - allows preparing and e-filing up to 5 returns. Were mom and dad married at the end of the tax year? As to the 28-year-old he may be a qualifying relative of either mom or dad if mom and dad can not or do not file jointly

Qualifying Relative and eligible to be claimed as a dependent the rules are:

Live in your household the entire year. Absences for medical treatment are ignored. If they did not then one of the relationship tests must be met. so how is he related to each of you? Note that the 28-year-old can not claim any dependents if mom or dad can claim him/her as a dependent.
28-year-olds gross income for 2023 is less than $4,700
taxpayer (mom and dad if they are filing jointly) provides over ½ his/her support
isn’t a qualifying child of another taxpayer