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Tax Question

Cali123
Cali123
Hello, I've been on DS for a while now and am in the midst of a divorce. I haven't had much time to actually post on here because my H still lives at home (which makes the process 100x more brutal) and monitors my every move... Since he's an abusive spouse, I try to hide this from him. Now, I'm using my work computer to post, but can't really get on DS @ work.

Anyway, the point of the whole post is to ask at which point should I change my tax withholding to "single"? We have not actually filed the paperwork, but if your marital status at the end of the year determines your marital status for the entire year, I'm just trying to figure out what is the right thing to do and when to do it. I do not want to owe a bunch of money in 2011, nor have a bunch owed to me. Any advice? Much appreciated!
Cali123
Cali123
I wanted to give this a nudge to see if anyone has any response for this. Thanks for your help!
deleted_user
deleted_user
my guess is that you can't file single until you are. or, at least under different roofs.

but, i am not a tax professional.
MsViv
MsViv
sorry, no clue, I have a tax nightmare from last year. Do you have an accountant? If not, Maybe H&R block can help you with your question
Rman
Rman
Your tax status on December 31st will be considered your status for the entire year. Here is an IRS publication that deals with these issues.

http://www.irs.gov/app/vita/globalmedia/p504.pdf
Cali123
Cali123
Thank you, thank you, thank you Rman! :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
Remember - it's usually cheaper to file married.
deleted_user
deleted_user
If you are still married legally you can file that way, I still did until my divorce was final even though I moved out, at the end of the final year. The rest of them, I filed on my own. I guess I would ask your divorce attorney and the people that you have filed taxes with in the past to see what the laws are for you. You can file as married but file under a separate status as well, depends on if you meet the requirements.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Changing your withholding really only affects your monthly net income and does not have that much bearing on when you file your taxes. What is important is what you claim when you file your taxes, which, I imagine, will be married filing seperately.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Cali123,

It's way cheaper to file married than filing married separate. Been there done that. It cost me $6000 one year between State, Federal, and those one time $600 rebate checks Bush gave us.

If you expect your divorce to be completed before 2010 is up I'd change my tax status now.
Rman
Rman
Soon is correct. If you are talking about withholding allowances on your paycheck, then you can make that change at any time during the year. Tax returns are a separate issue. The lower your withholding allowances, the more taxes will be taken out and the less you will owe at the end of the year. If this is about your paycheck, rather than your tax return, then just decrease the number of withholding allowances. Contact HR and tell them you want to fill out a form W4 and the State form, if you have State taxes withheld.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Rman knows what he is talking about, good man to listen to
sfsoccermom
sfsoccermom
I filed married filing separately. That means I am still married (tax break) but that we live under separate roofs. I do not know what you can do until you are not living together.
Cali123
Cali123
Yes, thanks again. I was talking about the withholding allowances on my paycheck. I know that I'd bring home less money, but I'd rather not owe the government a huge chunnk of money in 2011. I feel like my divorce will be finalized by the end of the year. Good grief I hope so! I just don't really want to get in trouble with the IRS. I have enough to deal with without that.