What's better?
If you are married, is it better to file jointly or separately?
File taxes Joint or separately ?
Submitted by fourtytwocents on January 31, 2008 - 7:52pm.
GuG-Points: 10
Last Seen: 07/14/2008 - 10:34am
Location: MT
I am: Not Telling
GuG-Points: 261
Last Seen: 07/18/2008 - 12:44am
Location: Where Da Dust Bunnies Live
I am: Addicted to MySpace
Re: File taxes Joint or separately ?
February 23, 2008 - 2:14am
I don't know anything about taxes. I just hand the W-2 over and pray that I receive something. My question is should we file together if my hubby has back child support (long story, I talked about awhile back). We are newly-weds and I have no idea on how to file. I am worried that they will take his income tax for the back child support owed. I know that for my father, his tax return was taken from him and given to my mother. What should I do? What are some references to this type of situation? Any advice will help. Thanks!
GuG-Points: 1206
Last Seen: 07/14/2008 - 7:28am
I am: On vacation!
Re: File taxes Joint or separately ?
February 24, 2008 - 9:44am
Here are a few articles I've located this morning. I will keep looking.
IRS Topic 203 Failure to pay child support and tax obligations. Important article here CandiLove.....you have the option to file a Form 8379, which is an Injured Spouse Allocation, because a portion of the refund is yours. Form 8379 is filed with your tax return. Should you find out AFTER you have filed your tax return, Form 8379 can be filed at the time of notification of the tax refund offset. There is a direct link on this page that will take you to Form 8379. It's worth it so that you get back the refund you are entitled to.
This opens an IRS pdf file. Scroll down to the part of "Treasury Offset Program".
If I was standing on a fish, I'd slip and fall......
GuG-Points: 1206
Last Seen: 07/14/2008 - 7:28am
I am: On vacation!
Re: File taxes Joint or separately ?
February 24, 2008 - 9:19am
CandiLove,
Love your name, just....by the way.
My experience of seeing cases like yours in the past have been........yes, be prepared for exactly what you are expecting. States have been cracking down the past 5-8 years on this issue.
But don't be alarmed. It may be better to just let it happen and let it be over with. If you are newlyweds, I can understand completely why you are asking this question. Should I file separate or joint? We can determine that.
The only way I can really help you is..........if you feel safe enough, contact me through the contact form here on GuG. Just click on my user name and email me.
Why email me? Well, I will ask you for some specifics about your income, your last tax returns , etc. You will receive a list of questions from me and once you see them and IF you feel comfortable, answer me back. If you don't feel comfortable giving me the information, you can decline my help. I will not ask for any personal information such as name, social security number, etc. as I have no need for that information.
It's that simple.
Lynn
If I was standing on a fish, I'd slip and fall......
GuG-Points: 261
Last Seen: 07/18/2008 - 12:44am
Location: Where Da Dust Bunnies Live
I am: Addicted to MySpace
GuG-Points: 1206
Last Seen: 07/14/2008 - 7:28am
I am: On vacation!
Re: File taxes Joint or separately ?
February 27, 2008 - 6:09pm
GuG-Points: 261
Last Seen: 07/18/2008 - 12:44am
Location: Where Da Dust Bunnies Live
I am: Addicted to MySpace
GuG-Points: 296
Last Seen: 05/18/2008 - 11:51am
Location: the "sunshine" state
GuG-Points: 296
Last Seen: 05/18/2008 - 11:51am
Location: the "sunshine" state
GuG-Points: 1206
Last Seen: 07/14/2008 - 7:28am
I am: On vacation!
GuG-Points: 296
Last Seen: 05/18/2008 - 11:51am
Location: the "sunshine" state
Re: File taxes Joint or separately ?
January 31, 2008 - 9:11pm
GuG-Points: 296
Last Seen: 05/18/2008 - 11:51am
Location: the "sunshine" state
GuG-Points: 5004
Last Seen: 07/19/2008 - 10:03pm
Location: Lost in Cyberspace.....
I am: TunaLicious
GuG-Points: 1496
Last Seen: 07/19/2008 - 9:54pm
Location: North Haverbrook
I am: What I yam
Re: File taxes joint or separately
January 31, 2008 - 7:58pm
if you have a program like TurboTax or QuickBooks you can run the numbers both ways to see which adds up better for you..
EVERY time i've done this, it came up far better filing jointly... But let's see what LynnH says..
"..Do you want to sell sugar-water for the rest of your life, or do you want to come with me and change the world?"
GuG-Points: 296
Last Seen: 05/18/2008 - 11:51am
Location: the "sunshine" state