Married Filing Separately question

rachelc9510 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2015, 10:50 AM

Hello,

I was wondering if I can enter $0 for my husbands AGI and total income on my tax return if filing MFS as his taxes are not completed yet and will not be until next month has he owns his own business. I live in MA which is not a community state so I don't think this information is necessary and $0 would be ok but I wanted to be sure before I do so. would like to file sooner rather than later.

thank you

Rachel

rachelc9510 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2015, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wnhough

You will need his SSN#/ ITIN # to file as MFS. You do not need his W-2. So, you generally report only your own income, exemptions, deductions, and credits. Generally, you are responsible only for the tax on your own taxable income. Different rules apply to people in community property states. The only other caveat is that if he elects to itemize his deductions on Sch A of 1040, you will have to as well (and vice versa).In this case , you can’t claim your std deduction.

The only other caveat is that if she elects to itemize her deductions, you will have to as well (and vice versa).

also Federal and state must be the same. Also, it seems you should be doing Married filing separately (not jointly) until you are divorced if you are divorced.

Thank You for your response!...we are not getting divorced it is just easier to file MFS because he has his own business...so just to clarify since I live in MA (which is not a community property state) in MA state tax return when it asks for my husbandnds AGI and total income it will be fine if I enter $0 there? It won't let me leave it blank (using turbo tax) when he submits his return he would be able to enter my info since it will be completed already

Thanks again...really appreciate it!
Rachel

Wnhough · #3 (**permalink**) 02-08-2015, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachelc9510

Hello,

I was wondering if I can enter $0 for my husbands AGI and total income on my tax return if filing MFS as his taxes are not completed yet and will not be until next month has he owns his own business. I live in MA which is not a community state so I don't think this information is necessary and $0 would be ok but I wanted to be sure before I do so. would like to file sooner rather than later.

thank you

Rachel

You will need his SSN#/ ITIN # to file as MFS. You do not need his W-2. So, you generally report only your own income, exemptions, deductions, and credits. Generally, you are responsible only for the tax on your own taxable income. Different rules apply to people in community property states. The only other caveat is that if he elects to itemize his deductions on Sch A of 1040, you will have to as well (and vice versa).In this case , you can’t claim your std deduction.

The only other caveat is that if she elects to itemize her deductions, you will have to as well (and vice versa).

also Federal and state must be the same. Also, it seems you should be doing Married filing separately (not jointly) until you are divorced if you are divorced.