The first step in filing your taxes is determining your tax filing status. Generally, your marital status on the last day of the year determines your status for the entire year. If you’re unmarried, or legally separated from your spouse under a divorce or separate maintenance decree and you don’t qualify for another status, your filing status is single. However, your status isn’t just limited to whether you’re married. After all, the IRS allows the following five statuses: Marriage Filing StatusIf you’re married by the last day of the year, you and your spouse may file joint or separate returns. However, if you’re legally separated from your spouse on the last day of the year, even though married for the rest of the year, you’re still considered single for tax purposes. If you experienced the unfortunate death of your spouse in the current tax year, you can still file a joint return with that spouse, so long as you haven’t remarried before the end of the year. However, the current year would be the last year for which you may file a joint return with that spouse. When it comes to determining your marriage status, the IRS relies on the laws of your state governing marriage and separation or divorce. Do You Have a Dependent Child?If your spouse died during the previous two years, you may be able to file as a qualifying widow or widower. To do this, you must meet all four of the following requirements: More detailed information on each filing status can be found in IRS Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information. To qualify for head of household status, you typically must be unmarried and not entitled to file as a qualifying widow or widower with a dependent child. You must also have provided more than half the cost of maintaining your home as the main household for a qualifying person. You may also qualify for head of household status if you, though married, file a separate return, your spouse has not lived in your home during the last six months of the tax year, and you provided more than half the cost of maintaining your home as the main household for a qualifying child for more than one half of the tax year. Free Consultation with a Tax LawyerWhen you need legal help with a tax matter, call Ascent Law for your free tax law consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you.
Ascent Law LLC
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C West Jordan, Utah 84088 United States Telephone: (801) 676-5506
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