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Level 5
March 3, 2022
Question

Drawing a blank

  • March 3, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 15 views

If legally separated, would it be more beneficial to file married filing separate, or single, in terms of credits, etc?

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

Jim-from-Ohio
Intuit Community Champion
March 3, 2022

if.... under a divorce or separate maintenance decree and you don't qualify for another status, your filing status is single.  they may qualify for a different filing status though. 

 

Just-Lisa-Now-
Intuit Community Champion
March 4, 2022

Wouldn't legal separation make you Single for tax filing?

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥Lisa♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪
Level 8
March 4, 2022

No, it makes you mfs

 

Level 15
March 4, 2022

You need to check if this is actually a "legal separation".  From what I understand, those are extremely rare.

From what I understand, those are basically a divorce, but for some reason the taxpayer's don't want to use the term "divorce" (perhaps religious reasons).

If it actually is a legal separation, then it is treated just like a divorce.  So the taxpayer's would be Single (or Head of Household, if they qualify).  But again, actual legal separation is quite rare.

Just-Lisa-Now-
Intuit Community Champion
March 4, 2022
I see them when they want to be able to stay on the others health insurance through their employer.
♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥Lisa♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪
Level 7
March 4, 2022

If they are not legally devorced  it would be more beneficial for them to smoke the peace pipe and file one last joint return.