Late spring and early summer are popular times for weddings. Whatever the season, a change in your marital status can affect your taxes. Here are several tips from the IRS for newlyweds.
- The names and Social Security numbers you put on your tax return need to match your Social Security Administration records. If you or your spouse has made a name change, report the change to the SSA. To do that, file Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card. You can get this form on their website at SSA.gov, by calling 800-772-1213 or by visiting your local SSA office.
- If your address has changed, file Form 8822, Change of Address to notify the IRS. Also, notify the U.S. Postal Service if your address has changed. Ask to have your mail forwarded online at USPS.com or report the change at your local post office.
- Report your name or address change to your carrier. If you are a company driver, this will help to ensure you receive your Form W-2 and Wage and Tax Statement after the end of the year.
- If you and your spouse both work, check the amount of federal income tax withheld from your pay. Your combined incomes may move you into a higher tax bracket. Use the IRS Withholding Calculator tool at IRS.gov to help you complete a new Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate. See Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, for more information.
- If you didn’t qualify to itemize deductions before you were married, that may have changed. You and your spouse may save money by itemizing rather than taking the standard deduction on your tax return. You’ll need to use Form 1040 with Schedule A, Itemized Deductions. You can’t use Form 1040A or 1040EZ when you itemize.
- Be aware if your spouse has a past tax liability. Form 8379 (Injured Spouse Allocation) should be filed with the Married Filing Joint return, but it can also be filed separately in order to prevent refunds from being taken for a prior debt.
- If you are married as of Dec. 31, that’s your marital status for the entire year for tax purposes. You and your spouse usually may choose to file your federal income tax return either jointly or separately in any given year. You may want to figure the tax both ways to determine which filing status results in the lowest tax. In most cases, it’s beneficial to file jointly.
For more information about these topics, visit IRS.gov or your tax advisor. You can also get IRS forms and publications at IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).