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View Full Version : Married filing jointly vs single? NJ and GA for both Federal and state.


Popatlal
Mar 27, 2011, 02:30 PM

joypulv
Mar 27, 2011, 06:21 PM
There's no way to answer that here. It depends on your income and deductions. It's easiest if you use software to calculate it both ways.

MukatA
Mar 28, 2011, 12:40 AM
If you are married you can file as married filing jointly (MFJ) or married filing separately (MFS). You are not Single.
In most cases, it is better to file as married filing jointly. On the joint return your standard deduction is $11,400 and you get two exemptions. If you file as married filing separately, you will not get many credits and deductions including EIC. On the joint return the liabilities are joint. If one spouse owes tax, both spouses are equally responsible.You may file Form 8379 with joint return.

This is from IRS publication 17: Your Federal Income Tax. Tip. If you and your spouse each have income, you may want to figure your tax both on a joint return and on separate returns (using the filing status of married filing separately). Choose the method that gives the two of you the lower combined tax. Your U.S. Tax Return: Filing Status for Married (http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/02/filing-status-for-married.html)