What filing status do I use after getting married?
If you are legally married anytime during the year, the IRS considers you married for that entire tax year. As a result, you may file either jointly or separately on your state and federal income tax returns.
When filing jointly, you and your spouse file a single income tax return that reports income, credits, and deductions for both of you. Filing separately means each of you files your own return.
Generally, filing jointly is more beneficial for most married couples. Joint filers may qualify for larger credits—such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit—than those who file separately.
Filing separately can limit or disqualify you from claiming certain deductions or credits, such as student loan interest, education credits, or the EITC. Additionally, if one spouse itemizes deductions, the other must do so as well.
You can compare both filing statuses using IRS guidance or an online calculator to determine which option works best for your situation. For more information, see IRS Publication 501.
Am I required to change my withholdings after getting married?
You aren’t required to, but you may want to. Newlyweds often provide their employers with a new IRS Form W-4 soon after marriage to ensure the correct amount of tax is withheld from each paycheck.
Your employer will use Form W-4 to adjust your withholdings. You can also file a Name Change Notification Letter with your employer if you changed your name after marriage.
There may be other benefits available from your or your spouse’s employer once you’re married. For example, if either of you has a Health Savings Account (HSA), you may qualify for family coverage, which generally allows higher contribution limits and greater potential tax savings.
Will I be in a different tax bracket after getting married?
It depends on the combined income of you and your spouse. When you file jointly, your income may fall into a different tax bracket than when you filed individually.
This often benefits couples when one spouse has significantly higher income than the other, since joint filing can lower the overall tax rate. However, if both spouses earn similar incomes, filing jointly may move you into a higher bracket.
Will we get a tax bill after marriage?
That depends on your combined tax situation. If you and your spouse typically owed taxes before marriage, it’s unlikely marriage alone will eliminate your tax bill. Adjusting your withholdings or estimated payments can help manage what you owe when filing.
If one spouse usually received a refund while the other owed taxes, those amounts may offset each other when filing jointly.
IRS notices may be jointly addressed to spouses, so you may receive one shared communication. Planning ahead—such as reviewing your withholdings and deductions—can help you avoid surprises when you file your first joint return.
If you are unsure how to respond to an IRS notice, or have more questions about your taxes, reach out to a Legal Pro for affordable legal advice.
Please note: This page offers general legal information, not but not legal advice tailored for your specific legal situation. Rocket Lawyer Incorporated isn't a law firm or a substitute for one. For further information on this topic, you can Ask a Legal Pro.
