Separating? How should you file taxes with your ex-spouse?
If you are separating from your spouse and not yet divorced, how you file your Federal and State of California income taxes is an important financial decision to make. It can also be confusing and complicated by the stress of your separation.
As long as you are still legally married, you can either file a joint tax return as a couple, or two individual returns. If you decide to file jointly, you can’t decide later to amend and file your return separately. If you decide to file separately, you can amend your return and file jointly later, for up to three years from the due date of the return.
Below are some things to consider in making your decision. Our best advice: work with your tax accountant to decide whether it is most beneficial to file joint or separate tax returns.
Option 1 – File Taxes Jointly with your soon-to-be-ex
- While you are simply separated from your spouse (not yet divorced) you can file a joint tax return.
- When you owe taxes, each of you is jointly and independently liable to pay them.
- If your soon-to-be-ex is a tax cheat, filing jointly may make you the target of an audit.
- If you receive a tax refund, the refund will be mailed or auto deposited into your designated bank account. The IRS will not split the refund for you.
A chief consideration for filing jointly is you’ll want to decide in advance how you will
- Split or apportion a refund as well
- Split or apportion a tax liability.
To make everything absolutely clear between you, you can draw up a Stipulation and Order. A written Stipulation and Order includes your agreement with your ex and both of your notarized signatures. Your agreement must be signed by a judge.
Option 2 – File Taxes Separately without pooling community income 50/50
Both you and your ex can file your own tax returns, declaring your individual income, deductions, withholding, etc. Because your combined earnings are considered community property until you are legally separated, it is important to agree with your ex how your community property income, deductions and withholdings (earned and taken before you were legally separated) will be split before you file. We recommend that you get your agreement with your ex in writing.
Option 3 – File Taxes Separately, Pool Community Income, Add in After-Separation, Separate Income
In this scenario, community income, deductions and withholdings (earned and taken before you were legally separated) are considered equally on each person’s return. Individual earnings are then added to that amount. This is the most technically correct way to file individual tax returns, when you are separated.
Contact Us for Assistance
If you have questions about drawing up clear tax agreements with your ex, please contact our office for a consultation. Marissa Major and Hillary Warren of Warren Major LLC are Marin County family law attorneys, specializing in divorce, child custody and support, marital contracts and other family law issues. If you are looking for honest, expert legal advice, please contact our office for a consultation
Disclaimer: Warren Major LLP’s blog articles on its website for informational purposes only. The information contained herein may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from Warren Major LLP or the individual author. This general information is not a substitute for legal advice on any subject matter. For advice pertaining to your specific case, please contact our office to schedule a consultation. No reader of this article should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this article without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
Using this information or sending electronic mail to Warren Major LLP or its attorneys does not create an attorney-client relationship. Any statements pertaining to past results do not guarantee future results.
