tax advice

[annieareyouokay]

I don't really know how to word this, so if it doesn't make sense/needs more details let me know and I'll edit

Comments

[wldrose]

its called the marrige penelity, and its normal. double check but ya it all sounds normal.

Ash

[ex_missmolly32]

This is what I was going to say, too. When you ran it through the first program I assume it automatically counted you both as single. When you get married the automatic tax deductions are lower per person.

[annieareyouokay]

Blah, that sucks, but thanks for letting me now.

[sueg]

I thought they had "fixed" the tax code a few years ago so that there was no longer a marriage penalty. Did that not get renewed or something?

http://financialplan.about.com/cs/taxes/a/MarriagePenalty.htm

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Taxes/P48908.asp

[gentlemaitresse]

The IRS doesn't know whether you are married or single. Not really. I know a man who is living with the mother of his children, and has been for over ten years. They call each other husband and wife, and they file jointly because it works out better for them.

I would file which ever way gives you the biggest refund.

[hbpen]

I would be very wary of this just in case you were ever audited...

[mnemia]

I wouldn't be so sure. Marriage licenses are part of the public record, and they can easily obtain that (assuming you were married in the U.S.). You can choose whether to file jointly or separately, but you can't file as single.

[annieareyouokay]

I'd actually rather not have the extra money than do something like that, but thanks anyway. :)

[writing_minutia]

^IAWTC^

Also, be a little suspicious with anyone from H&R Block. They have more experience due to sheer volume, but anything complicated it becomes apparent that they aren't experts. There have been times where we had to explain deductions and some calculations to them. Of course, this was a couple years ago and in Canada.

[frkyjenn]

It's the same way here (Washington State). H & R Block fed my step daughter a bunch of lies about what was possible.. then once they sat down to do the taxes and they couldn't be done they said "oh, oops. Our mistake. Well you owe us *whatever ungodly amount* for us to do the taxes you could have done yourself for free"

[writing_minutia]

My parents went because they needed the refund right away, and had already calculated it themselves (they couldn't pay rent at the time). The guy calculated it and said they owed a whole wack of money

[annieareyouokay]

It's not really complicated, we only have three w2s between us, but I've never done taxes before.

[xo_kizzy_xo]

That's strange -- my husband and I file separately, and I've always gotten a federal refund. Granted, it hasn't been as much as it was when I was single, but I'll take it ;)

[heinleinfan]

As the first responder said but with an addendum: Marriage *with no children* penalty.

[wldrose]

thats right but you can get the child deductions married or not.

Ash