Tax question…file as singles, married but file separately or file jointly

[jimmyle]

A couple in California. One is making $90K, one is making $70K. If they are renters and have insignificant college loans.

Which choice will result in the least tax paid to the government?

a) file as singles
b) married but file separately
c) file jointly

Thanks,

[SK in CV]

Those three choices aren’t possible.

If the couple is married, they must file as a married couple, either jointly or separately. If they’re not married, they can only file as single. (There are some rare extenuating circumstances where this isn’t true.)

If they have no other income and no significant other deductions, and these options were all available, the difference between the three would be less than my minimum consulting fee.

You now owe me $250.

[SK in CV]

Those three choices aren’t possible.

If the couple is married, they must file as a married couple, either jointly or separately. If they’re not married, they can only file as single. (There are some rare extenuating circumstances where this isn’t true.)

If they have no other income and no significant other deductions, and these options were all available, the difference between the three would be less than my minimum consulting fee.

You now owe me $250.

[SK in CV]

Those three choices aren’t possible.

If the couple is married, they must file as a married couple, either jointly or separately. If they’re not married, they can only file as single. (There are some rare extenuating circumstances where this isn’t true.)

If they have no other income and no significant other deductions, and these options were all available, the difference between the three would be less than my minimum consulting fee.

You now owe me $250.

[SK in CV]

Those three choices aren’t possible.

If the couple is married, they must file as a married couple, either jointly or separately. If they’re not married, they can only file as single. (There are some rare extenuating circumstances where this isn’t true.)

If they have no other income and no significant other deductions, and these options were all available, the difference between the three would be less than my minimum consulting fee.

You now owe me $250.

[SK in CV]

Those three choices aren’t possible.

If the couple is married, they must file as a married couple, either jointly or separately. If they’re not married, they can only file as single. (There are some rare extenuating circumstances where this isn’t true.)

If they have no other income and no significant other deductions, and these options were all available, the difference between the three would be less than my minimum consulting fee.

You now owe me $250.

[Eugene]

This is a classic example of “marriage penalty” where two individuals would pay higher taxes as married filing jointly than as single. (The difference would have been ~$250 if not for the stimulus rebate, which reduces it to $150.)

In contrast, a couple with 120k and 40k incomes would save close to a thousand dollars by marrying and filing a joint return.

[Eugene]

This is a classic example of “marriage penalty” where two individuals would pay higher taxes as married filing jointly than as single. (The difference would have been ~$250 if not for the stimulus rebate, which reduces it to $150.)

In contrast, a couple with 120k and 40k incomes would save close to a thousand dollars by marrying and filing a joint return.

[Eugene]

This is a classic example of “marriage penalty” where two individuals would pay higher taxes as married filing jointly than as single. (The difference would have been ~$250 if not for the stimulus rebate, which reduces it to $150.)

In contrast, a couple with 120k and 40k incomes would save close to a thousand dollars by marrying and filing a joint return.

[Eugene]

This is a classic example of “marriage penalty” where two individuals would pay higher taxes as married filing jointly than as single. (The difference would have been ~$250 if not for the stimulus rebate, which reduces it to $150.)

In contrast, a couple with 120k and 40k incomes would save close to a thousand dollars by marrying and filing a joint return.

[Eugene]

This is a classic example of “marriage penalty” where two individuals would pay higher taxes as married filing jointly than as single. (The difference would have been ~$250 if not for the stimulus rebate, which reduces it to $150.)

In contrast, a couple with 120k and 40k incomes would save close to a thousand dollars by marrying and filing a joint return.

[Author]

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