For tax purposes

[Ron/Sharon 0]

Is getting married before December 31st better or does make that much of a difference. We haven't set a date yet since Sharon has some time yet before she can take time off, I was thinking of a December wedding and Sharon is thinking of a January wedding. I thought that having it done in December we would gain a tax break or reduction for the 2009 tax year.

I'm just looking for different view on this subject.

Thanks

[Rob_Lesya 4]

Is getting married before December 31st better or does make that much of a difference. We haven't set a date yet since Sharon has some time yet before she can take time off, I was thinking of a December wedding and Sharon is thinking of a January wedding. I thought that having it done in December we would gain a tax break or reduction for the 2009 tax year.

I'm just looking for different view on this subject.

Thanks

It usually makes a HUGE difference for most filers. If you get married on or before the 31st, you can file as married for the 2009 tax year -- which means you get 2 standard deductions and 2 exemptions and can generally exempt a significant amount, if not all, of the Foreign income for the year. The result will usually be a very large tax refund.... perhaps even enough to pay for a nice honeymoon.

Edited December 7, 2009 by Rob_Lesya

[Ron/Sharon 0]

Is getting married before December 31st better or does make that much of a difference. We haven't set a date yet since Sharon has some time yet before she can take time off, I was thinking of a December wedding and Sharon is thinking of a January wedding. I thought that having it done in December we would gain a tax break or reduction for the 2009 tax year.

I'm just looking for different view on this subject.

Thanks

It usually makes a HUGE difference for most filers. If you get married on or before the 31st, you can file as married for the 2009 tax year -- which means you get 2 standard deductions and 2 exemptions and can generally exempt a significant amount, if not all, of the Foreign income for the year. The result will usually be a very large tax refund.... perhaps even enough to pay for a nice honeymoon.

Thank you very much Rob_Lesya the information will be the subject be part of todays conversations.

[Lili 3]

I got married on December 31, two years ago. As my husband and I were working the entire year, our tax witholdings were based on single status. We received a substantial tax refund. I think it is worth it to get married prior to the end of the year. Like the other mentioned, it is substantial enough to go to a nice honeymoon vacation.

I am not sure how it works with the foreign income exemption.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

We filed as married the first year (got married end of Nov) You report your Canadian earnings (aka World wide income) but then since they were taxed in Canada, they become exempt on another line later on.

It was beneficial to us to file as married...we got a bigger chunk back then my husband would have normally and it didn't harm me by having to pay tax twice or anything too screwy

[Revenesque 2]

Geez, hubby and I have been married since 2007 and my hubby the USC has been filing as a single person all this time. Are we leaving money on the table or should hubby go back and refile his tax returns from 2007 onwards?

[The_Dude 1,142]

It is very beneficial, just make sure that you file for a SSN or get a temporary tax ID as soon as possible.

[Revenesque 2]

It is very beneficial, just make sure that you file for a SSN or get a temporary tax ID as soon as possible.

Once I get my SSN, is he able to GO BACK to 2007 and refile? Or only from my SSN time onwards?

[The_Dude 1,142]

It is very beneficial, just make sure that you file for a SSN or get a temporary tax ID as soon as possible.

Once I get my SSN, is he able to GO BACK to 2007 and refile? Or only from my SSN time onwards?

I don't know if it would be approved, but you can always file an amended tax return and see.

[SunDrop 59]

If I remember correctly, it's no more than 3 years retrospectively for you, but the IRS can claim a lifetime's worth of underpayments, go figure.

A friend of mine recently discovered that when their now 10 year old was born, his deductions were amended but instead of adding another dependent, it was logged as his being dependentless and single!! They can only claim back 3 years' worth of unclaimed deductions, but it still amounted to just over $7,000... well worth it!

[Malrothien 6]

Geez, hubby and I have been married since 2007 and my hubby the USC has been filing as a single person all this time. Are we leaving money on the table or should hubby go back and refile his tax returns from 2007 onwards?

He should've been filing as a married person, not single.

[Revenesque 2]

Thanks, everyone. I'm kinda screwed for SSN since our case is still at the NVC (AOS and DS-230 not yet submitted)...anyone know if there's a workaround or does Hubby just lose his unclaimed deductions?

[Malrothien 6]

You can file for an ITIN and he can amend his returns.

[The_Dude 1,142]

You can file for an ITIN and he can amend his returns.

What she said

[zyggy 9]

Geez, hubby and I have been married since 2007 and my hubby the USC has been filing as a single person all this time. Are we leaving money on the table or should hubby go back and refile his tax returns from 2007 onwards?

Your husband should not have filed as single. He has left a significant amount of money on the table. You will need to get a TIN from the IRS for him to file. He can file an amended return for 2007 and 2008.

If I remember correctly, it's no more than 3 years retrospectively for you, but the IRS can claim a lifetime's worth of underpayments, go figure.

A friend of mine recently discovered that when their now 10 year old was born, his deductions were amended but instead of adding another dependent, it was logged as his being dependentless and single!! They can only claim back 3 years' worth of unclaimed deductions, but it still amounted to just over $7,000... well worth it!

The IRS can only claim a lifetime of underpayments if the taxpayer engaged in fraud. If that was not the case, then the 3 years statute of limitations applies.