Skip to main content
February 7, 2021
Question

When i put my spouses ssn in. it is not going to affect him when he files his taxes?

  • February 7, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views
No text available

1 reply

VolvoGirl
Employee
February 7, 2021

Where are you entering it?  If you are filing Married filing Separate you do have to enter your spouse's ssn so the IRS knows you both file the same way and take the same kind of deductions.  

 

And may I ask why you are filing separate returns?  Sometimes people don't realize the differences between filing  Joint and MFS.

 

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