Intuit Community Champion

Question

Married Filing Separate -- Standard vs. Itemized Deductions

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
October 20, 2022
22 replies
82 views

Anyone aware of how you should handle a situation where a client is filing Married Filing Separate because their marriage is in an acrimonious collapse, the other spouse has already filed their returns, but refuses to tell my client whether they took the Standard Deduction or itemized their deductions?

How do I know whether my client is supposed to take the Standard Deduction or itemize if he has no idea how his spouse filed?

Individual

This topic has been closed for replies.

IRonMaN

Level 15

Have they itemized in the past? That's a good starting point. If they have, is it reasonable that the other spouse would have had enough expenses to clear the standard deduction? When in complete doubt, you could go the most conservative route to avoid any negative IRS notices down the road.

Slava Ukraini!

J

JOFI

Author

Intuit Community Champion

In this specific case, it is highly likely the spouse took the Standard Deduction, but the client doesn't know that for sure.

My question is how can my client protect himself if he does not know with certainty how spouse handled deductions?

dkh

Level 15

Would the spouse be willing to tell you? Have client ask them to call you.

J

JOFI

Author

Intuit Community Champion

This option has been pursued. The spouse is entirely non cooperative.

BobKamman

Level 15

You have already figured out that standard deduction would be better for your client?

J

JOFI

Author

Intuit Community Champion

Where did I say that? His spouse has already filed her returns. He now needs to follow her lead, regardless of which option is preferable for him personally. I am just trying to figure how to do that when the spouse refuses to divulge this information.

Accountant-Man

Level 13

Do it the best way. Let the IRS tell you otherwise.

** I am "Elevating with Intention!"

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