If filing Married filing Separately and I submit my tax return first using the Standard Deduction, does my husband HAVE to do the Standard Deduction as well? Thanks!

DoninGA

Employee

@christijo206 wrote:

If filing Married filing Separately and I submit my tax return first using the Standard Deduction, does my husband HAVE to do the Standard Deduction as well? Thanks!

Yes. If one of you uses the Standard Deduction then the other Must use the Standard Deduction.

See the post from @VolvoGirl below on this thread.

VolvoGirl

Employee

Yes you both have to file the same way. Either take the Standard Deduction or itemized. But why aren't you filing Joint?

Unless you have a specific reason to file separate returns,

It is usually better to file Joint. Joint has the lowest tax rates and the highest Standard Deduction. And if you are in a Community Property state MFS gets tricky to figure out. 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.

Many people think they come out better when filing Married Filing Separate but they are probably doing it wrong. If one person itemizes deductions then the other one must itemize too, even if it's less than the standard deduction, even if it is ZERO!

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