by Deborah Ritz
My husband and I have been separated since early 2013. I haven’t filed my 2014 or 2015 returns and my divorce was final a month ago. What filing status do I use for these two years?
For tax year 2014 you have three options, you can: file married filing joint combining both yours and your spouse’s incomes and deductions; file married filing separately which places you both in a higher tax bracket, with the loss of many deductions and credits with other tax implications; file head of household if you have a qualified dependent living in your home.*
If your divorce was final before December 31, 2015, you can file single or file head of household if you have qualifying dependents living with you.
If you were not divorced as of December 31, 2015, you can file married filing joint combining both yours and your spouse’s incomes and deductions; file married filing separately which places you both in a higher tax bracket, with the loss of many deductions and credits with other tax implications; or file head of household if you have qualifying dependents living in your home.*
I got married in September 2014. Since I was single for most of the year do I file my tax as single?
Since you were married before December 31, 2015 you have three possible options: file married filing jointly combining both yours and your spouse’s incomes and deductions;
file married filing separately which places you both in a higher tax bracket, with the loss of many deductions and credits with other tax implications; or file head of household if you have a qualified dependent living in your home.*
My husband passed away in October of 2015. How do I file our taxes this year?
You will file married filing jointly and sign the return as the surviving spouse.
More information can be found in IRS Publication 501 or at the IRS website http://www.irs.gov/publications/p501/ar02.html
*Be sure to check the IRS definition of “a qualifying dependent” and “living in your home.”
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Questions for Deborah Ritz can be e-mailed to The Weekly Adirondack at WeeklyADK@yahoo.com