

Should You File Taxes Separately or Jointly During Divorce?
Discussion is vital
It is important that you discuss all the advantages and disadvantages of filing joint return with either your attorney or your tax advisor. Generally, but not at all times, if you file jointly, your tax burdens will be lowered. This will depend on you and your spouse’s respective incomes, credits and deductions. Principal disadvantage of joint filing is that both the spouses are severally and jointly liable for taxwes on return. These includes any tax deficiencies, penalties and also interest. You can protect this a little with the Tax Indemnification Agreement. The IRS could also permit relief to the spouse who files taxes jointly. There are three kinds of IRS relief, namely equitable relief, innocent relief and separation of liability.
Domestic partners and the same sex
Registered domestic partners and married couples of the same sex cannot file any kind of joint federal returns under any kind of circumstances. For any couple who reside in a state where same sex marriage remains legal or any marriage equivalent relationship is found could file their joint tax returns.
In case your spouse had consented earlier to joint return but refusing in the present
Many spouses use tax filing statuses as their bargaining tool. This makes sense as both the spouses should consent to file joint return. The California court will desist from ordering any unwilling spouse to file joint return. Only in rare circumstances, IRS may accept joint return that is signed by one spouse. Consult your tax attorney if you want IRS to sign single.
Protecting both spouses while filing joint return during divorce
Ensure that the marital settlement judgment or the agreement or the separate agreement explains how to tackle any refunds or tax liability. In case a refund is to be paid through check, ensure that check is paid to both spouses jointly. This will also be valid in case there is a written agreement of the recipient paying the other for any share the spouse should have. In case direct deposit is the mode of refund, do have it passed through joint account or make a written agreement. There is no requirement share refunds or the tax liabilities equally.
Getting divorced in California can be complicated. Download our free eBook, 18 Important Things to Know About California Divorce to educate yourself on the process.


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