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    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #1

    Feb 9, 2009, 02:21 PM
    Married file file single or head of house
    Ok, I hate one of the national tax chains, they always show me oweing when I really get money back but due to some situations out of my control I am forced to use one.

    This is what I was told,

    When filing, we were gong to file, either married filing single or a head of household for the one who was claiming the child.

    They told us, that if we were married, the only way either of us could claim the child was to file jointly, They said we could not file separate and either of us claim the child. I feel this is bull and one of the reasons not to use some of the chains, but can someone relate more to this
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
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    #2

    Feb 9, 2009, 02:46 PM

    Fr_Chuck - If you are legally married at the end of the year then in most cases your filing status must be either Married filing Jointly (MFJ), or Married filing Separate (MFS). However, it's possible that a married person can file as Head of Household (HoH), but you have to meet certain requirements, such as living apart for the past 6 months. There are other requirements for filing as HoH, but unless you meet this first test there's not much point in going on - post back if you want more info about HoH.

    If you want to file as MFS, then both husband and wife must file as MFS, and if one itemizes then you must both itemize. If you file MFS, then only one of you can claim the child as a dependent. I don't understand why they told you that you can't claim a dependent. However, be aware that there are certain credits that you can't take if filing MFS, such as the credit for child care expenses, or education credits - perhaps that's what they meant?

    For more info on requirements for your filing status, see:
    http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #3

    Feb 9, 2009, 03:41 PM

    I am not sure what they meant to be honest, I am just gong to bite the bullet and assume they are gong to cheat me big time on the filing.

    Of course I will assume I can also file an admended form latter if I feel they did not do it properly.
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
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    #4

    Feb 9, 2009, 03:47 PM

    If you think your paid professional tax preparer is trying to "cheat you big time" then I strongly suggest you get yourself a different professional!!
    MukatA's Avatar
    MukatA Posts: 7,110, Reputation: 176
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    #5

    Feb 10, 2009, 02:39 AM

    When you are married you can only file as married filing jointly (MFJ) or married filing separately (MFS).
    Even on MFS you can claim a dependent but you will not get EIC. On MFS status many deductions and credits are not available.
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