Taxes

[+ Charlie]

According to a new Treasury Dept. study, the number of gay couples filing joint tax returns jumped dramatically between 2013 and 2014 (from 131K to 183K). Obviously, this reflects the change in marriage laws, but people don't have to file jointly just because they get married. Since my spouse and I are included in those stats, I am curious: if you and your partner did get married, did you switch to filing joint returns, or if you plan to marry, do you intend to file jointly? Why or why not?

[LouieD]

According to a new Treasury Dept. study, the number of gay couples filing joint tax returns jumped dramatically between 2013 and 2014 (from 131K to 183K). Obviously, this reflects the change in marriage laws, but people don't have to file jointly just because they get married. Since my spouse and I are included in those stats, I am curious: if you and your partner did get married, did you switch to filing joint returns, or if you plan to marry, do you intend to file jointly? Why or why not?

When you marry, you must change your filing status. You can no longer file as "single". You must either file "married, filing jointly" or "married, filing separately". The tax rate schedules for each filing status are different.

[Kenny]

I am curious: if you and your partner did get married, did you switch to filing joint returns

Nope. Our tax guy showed that we'd do better as married, filing separately.

[+ quoththeraven]

Nope. Our tax guy showed that we'd do better as married, filing separately.

 

Which is always the right answer: the choice that results in a lower tax bill.

[+ Charlie]

When you marry, you must change your filing status. You can no longer file as "single". You must either file "married, filing jointly" or "married, filing separately". The tax rate schedules for each filing status are different.

I know this. What I wanted to know was which option you chose, and why.

[+ Charlie]

Which is always the right answer: the choice that results in a lower tax bill.

Nope. Our tax guy showed that we'd do better as married, filing separately.

For us, the cost of preparing two separate filings was actually more than for preparing one joint filing, which was one reason why we went with the joint filing.