When you file your tax return, a tax filing status must be chosen. This status is used to determine your standard deduction, tax rates, eligibility for certain tax breaks and your correct tax.
Continue Reading: Filing jointly or separately as a married couple: What’s the difference?
If you’re married, you may wonder whether you should file joint or separate tax returns. The answer depends on your individual tax situation.
Continue Reading: Married couples filing separate tax returns: Why would they do it?
If you file a joint tax return with your spouse, you should be aware of your individual liability. And if you’re getting divorced, you should know that there may be relief available if the IRS comes after you for certain past-due taxes.
Continue Reading: There may be relief from tax liability for “innocent spouses”
When a married couple files a joint tax return, each spouse is “jointly and severally” liable for the full amount of tax on the couple’s combined income. Therefore, the IRS can come after either spouse to collect the entire tax — not just the part that’s attributed to one spouse or the other. This includes any tax deficiency that the IRS assesses after an audit, as well as any penalties and interest. (However, the civil fraud penalty can be imposed only on spouses who’ve actually committed fraud.)
Continue Reading: “Innocent spouses” may get relief from tax liability