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Taxes - how to file when married

CatchI22 Posted: Jan 15, 2003 03:52 PM+

CatchI22 MEMBER SINCE: 10/02 TOTAL POSTS : 367 WEDDING DATE: Oct 12, 2002

Posted: Jan 15, 2003 03:52 PM

Taxes - how to file when married

Hi guys
need some advice...
I got my paycheck today and saw they finally changed my name... but still filing as a single. Did anyone else cange this, and if so how soon after the wedding did you? Should I change it ASAP? Is it bad I didn't change it right after the wedding? Please advise if anyone knows!!
Thanks!

LisaT Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:09 PM+

LisaT MEMBER SINCE: 7/01 TOTAL POSTS : 5894 WEDDING DATE: Apr 27, 2002

Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:09 PM

Re: Taxes - how to file when married

I changed it about a month or two later - I don't remember exactly.

I don't think its bad that it still says single. You'll probably owe more taxes now that you're married. So you may want to change your witholding allowances. My husband and I make similiar amounts, so I dropped my allowances down to 0, so we don't owe (hopefully).

W-4 info

michele31 Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:15 PM+

michele31 MEMBER SINCE: 6/01 TOTAL POSTS : 10673 WEDDING DATE: Nov 02, 2002 WEDDING LOCATION: Tavern on the Green

Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:15 PM

Re: Taxes - how to file when married

If you buy turbotax you can try your taxes married filing jointly, and married filed seperately. Use whichever is better for you both.

bearsbabe_113 Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:25 PM+

bearsbabe_113 MEMBER SINCE: 10/01 TOTAL POSTS : 3200 WEDDING DATE: Oct 06, 2001

Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:25 PM

Re: Taxes - how to file when married

Catch, I noticed from your profile that you just got married in October. I got married in Oct of 2001 and was told by the idiot in payroll that I should change my status when I changed my name with them, so I did. But I should've waited, like I had planned all along, until Jan, because when it came time to do 2001's taxes, I got screwed out of almost $800 by filing married!!!!!

So, my advice to you is to stay single for 2002's taxes, and change it now to married for 2003!!!

LisaT Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:34 PM+

LisaT MEMBER SINCE: 7/01 TOTAL POSTS : 5894 WEDDING DATE: Apr 27, 2002

Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:34 PM

Re: Taxes - how to file when married

Deb- is that legal? Can you file single even if you were married that year? I thought you had to file married regardless.

Its too late for me, but I was just wondering.

bearsbabe_113 Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:43 PM+

bearsbabe_113 MEMBER SINCE: 10/01 TOTAL POSTS : 3200 WEDDING DATE: Oct 06, 2001

Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:43 PM

Re: Taxes - how to file when married

Lisa, according to the accountant, if I didn't change to married, I could have filed Married/Single or something like that for 2001 since I was single for most of the year (except the last 2 months). My husband didn't change his status from single to married until this year. We could have filed separately, but we filed jointly last year because it worked to our benefit -- plus he works in Jersey, so that was another big complicated thing. I cannot tell you how mad I was about the whole thing!!!

When it comes to taxes, it's all greek to me, they can tell me until I'm blue in the face and I won't get it. All I understand is whether I'm getting money back or not!!

CatchI22 Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:51 PM+

CatchI22 MEMBER SINCE: 10/02 TOTAL POSTS : 367 WEDDING DATE: Oct 12, 2002

Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:51 PM

Re: Taxes - how to file when married

Thanks guys!
I will change it for 2003 but keep 2002 as single. I appreciate all the advice!

michele31 Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:54 PM+

michele31 MEMBER SINCE: 6/01 TOTAL POSTS : 10673 WEDDING DATE: Nov 02, 2002 WEDDING LOCATION: Tavern on the Green

Posted: Jan 15, 2003 04:54 PM

Re: Taxes - how to file when married

Double check that info. I was told by a CPA that if you are married on 12/31/02- you are considered MARRIED for the year and must file married on your tax return for that year. Is there a CPA in on this board to help us out? Doing it incorrectly can cause big time problems and you would owe money plus penalties.

michele31 Posted: Jan 15, 2003 05:01 PM+

michele31 MEMBER SINCE: 6/01 TOTAL POSTS : 10673 WEDDING DATE: Nov 02, 2002 WEDDING LOCATION: Tavern on the Green

Posted: Jan 15, 2003 05:01 PM

Re: Taxes - how to file when married

According to the IRS's website my info was correct

Generally, your marital status on the last day of the year determines your status for the entire year. If you are unmarried, or if you are legally separated from your spouse under a divorce or separate maintenance decree according to your state law, and you do not qualify for another filing status, your filing status is single.

IRS Site about filing status

ILT1221 Posted: Jan 15, 2003 05:14 PM+

ILT1221 MEMBER SINCE: 7/01 TOTAL POSTS : 2201 WEDDING DATE: Dec 01, 2002

Posted: Jan 15, 2003 05:14 PM

Re: Taxes - how to file when married

so even though I was married Dec. 21, 2002 I have to file married for the entire year of 2002?

abc7077 Posted: Jan 15, 2003 05:22 PM+

abc7077 MEMBER SINCE: 4/02 TOTAL POSTS : 1143 WEDDING DATE: Dec 07, 2002

Posted: Jan 15, 2003 05:22 PM

Re: Taxes - how to file when married

Yes, if you are married anytime before 12/31/2002 at midnight you MUST file as married. ( thanks Michele) You can file separately but you would still be filing as married. That is only if one of you makes much more or less than the other one. I was married this past Dec 7th 2002 and will have to file as if I was married the whole year. Yes it is not fair but that is the way it is!!!

ILT1221 Posted: Jan 15, 2003 05:28 PM+

ILT1221 MEMBER SINCE: 7/01 TOTAL POSTS : 2201 WEDDING DATE: Dec 01, 2002

Posted: Jan 15, 2003 05:28 PM