Since you have no wages, it is probably a benefit to file a joint return. By filing a joint return and taking the standard deduction, your taxable income is reduced by $5,350 by filing a joint return versus your spouse filing a MFS return. There is no additional personal exemption for MFJ, since […]
Written on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 by sanfordmarks :: 0 comments to this post
Since you have no wages, it is probably a benefit to file a joint return.
By filing a joint return and taking the standard deduction, your taxable income is reduced by $5,350 by filing a joint return versus your spouse filing a MFS return. There is no additional personal exemption for MFJ, since your personal exemption can still be taken on a MFS return because you have no income.
If you itemize your deductions, your taxable income is going to be the same whether you file jointly or separately.
In both cases, the tax tables are different for taxpayers who are married filing a joint return versus married filing a separate return. MFJ pays less tax on the same income than MFS.
So overall you are paying a lower tax on less income by filing a joint return.
I am assuming you have no children. If you have children, you still benefit from a joint return, but the benefit is slightly less because your spouse may be able to file as Head of Household.
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