Filing As Married Separate? Better Read This.

Article Highlights:
  • Filing Requirements 
  • Changing Filing Status 
  • Social Security Benefits 
  • Traditional IRA Deductibility 
  • Roth IRA Contribution Restrictions 
  • Higher Education Interest Deduction 
  • Itemized Deductions 
  • Medicare Premiums 
  • Child & Dependent Care Credit 
  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 
  • Premium Tax Credit (PTC) 
  • Tax Rates 
  • Other Limitations 
Married taxpayers have two options when filing their 1040 or 1040-SR tax returns. The first and most frequently used filing status is married filing joint (MFJ), where the incomes and allowable expenses of both spouses are combined and reported on one tax return. The joint status almost always results in the lowest overall tax. Spouses who file together are jointly liable for the tax, meaning either or both can be held responsible for paying the tax from the joint return.

The second option is to file as married filing separately (MFS), with each spouse filing a return. Depending on whether the taxpayers are residents of a separate or community property state, these separate returns may include just the income and eligible expenses of each filer or a percentage of their combined income and expenses. Couples may choose the MFS option for a variety of reasons:
  • They want to avoid the joint and several liability for the tax. 
  • They have children from a prior marriage and want to keep finances separate. 
  • They only want to keep their taxes separate. 
  • The marriage is tenuous. 
  • The taxpayers are separated and don’t want to cooperate in filing a joint return. 
  • One spouse might get a larger refund by filing separately (the other will pay more). 
  • They think they can save money by filing separate returns, and a variety of other reasons. 
The fact of the matter is that Congress carefully writes the tax laws to eliminate tax breaks for those filing MFS and can make filing very complicated. Here are some of the issues related to separate filings.

Filing Requirements – MFJ taxpayers generally do not need to file a return unless their joint income exceeds the standard deduction, $25,100 for 2021, but those filing MFS must file if they have just $5 of income.

Changing Filing Status – Taxpayers cannot change their filing status from joint to separate after the unextended return due date, usually April 15. However, they can change from a separate to a joint return any time up to 3 years.

Social Security Benefits – For joint filers, the income threshold where Social Security benefits become taxable is $32,000. For those filing separately, 85% of the benefits are taxable from the very first dollar of Social Security income.

Traditional IRA Deductibility – An IRA contribution is not deductible for higher income taxpayers who are also active participants in qualified requirement plans. For joint filers with employer-sponsored plans, the IRA deductibility for 2021 begins to phase out when their joint income reaches $105,000 and is fully phased out at $125,000. But when filing MFS, the deductibility begins to phase out with the first dollar of income and is fully phased out when the AGI (adjusted gross income) reaches $10,000.

Roth IRA Contribution Restrictions – The ability to contribute to a Roth IRA is limited for higher income taxpayers, and for joint filers, the 2021 allowable contribution phases out with AGIs between $198,000 and $208,000. However, for separate filers, the ability to contribute to a Roth IRA phases out for AGIs between $0 and $10,000.

Higher Education Interest Deduction – Joint-return filers can deduct $2,500 per year of qualified student loan interest, but separate-return filers are not allowed any deduction.

Itemized Deductions – Where one spouse filing MFS itemizes their deductions, the other spouse must do the same and cannot take the standard deduction.

Medicare Premiums – The premiums for Medicare participants are substantially higher for individuals filing separate returns compared to those filing jointly. In addition, premiums are based on a taxpayer’s filing status 2 years prior. That means you won’t even notice the increase when the separate returns are filed. For example, if a couple filing jointly had an AGI of $180,000 in 2019, their monthly Medicare premiums in 2021 would be $207.90 per month each. On the other hand, if they had filed separate 2019 returns and each had an AGI of $90,000, their Medicare premiums in 2021 would be $475.20 per month each. Thus, each one’s premiums for the year would be $3,208 more in 2021 because they used the MFS status in 2019.

Child & Dependent Care Credit – Separate filers cannot claim this credit unless they are legally separated.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – Generally, MFS filers cannot claim the EITC unless one or both are qualified to claim the head of household (HH) filing status. That would generally mean they are separated and maintaining separate households. To qualify for HH, a married taxpayer must pay half the cost of maintaining a home for a dependent child for the last 6 months of the year. A married couple cannot reside together and one of them claim HH filing status. Thus, under most martial separation circumstances, one spouse would file MFS and one HH, and only the one filing HH could claim the EITC if otherwise qualified.

Premium Tax Credit (PTC) – Although there are some infrequent exceptions, taxpayers filing as MFS won’t qualify for the PTC, which is the government supplement for the cost of health care insurance purchased through a government health marketplace for lower to middle-income taxpayers.

Tax Rates – The tax rates for MFS are twice what they are for joint-filing taxpayers.

Other Limitations – For MFS filers, most other tax deductions and limitations, such as the standard deduction, allowable capital losses, and rental loss limitations, are half of what they are for joint filers.

If you anticipate filing married separate returns, please contact this office to see how that filing might impact the outcome of your tax liability.

Share this article...

Want tax & accounting tips and insights?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .

Our Team

At IAM Accounting LLC, we take pride in our diverse and experienced team of professionals, each dedicated to providing exceptional service in accounting, tax planning, payroll, and financial management. Our team members bring a wealth of knowledge from various financial backgrounds, working together to ensure that every client receives the personalized attention and expertise they deserve. From managing complex accounting operations to providing tax-saving strategies, we’re here to help you achieve your financial goals with precision and care.

  • Ibrahim Mohammed

    Founder & Tax Strategist

    Ibrahim leads IAM Accounting LLC, offering expert tax strategies and financial guidance to help clients reduce tax liabilities and achieve their financial goals.

  • Jasleen Daswal

    Controller

    Jasleen is a highly skilled Controller with over five years of experience as a Chartered Accountant. She ensures accurate financial management and oversees accounting operations.

  • Sahil Shaikh

    Chartered Accountant & Tax Preparer

    Sahil is a Chartered Accountant and tax preparer with expertise in tax compliance, financial reporting, and strategic tax planning, helping clients optimize their financial outcomes.

  • Ankit Gupta

    Accounts Associate

    Ankit brings a wealth of experience in finance and accounting, providing key support in day-to-day financial operations to ensure accuracy and compliance.

  • Neha Sharma

    Key Accounts Manager

    Neha manages our most valued client relationships, with over four years of experience as a Chartered Accountant, ensuring that client needs are met efficiently and professionally.

  • Michael Holsinger

    Payroll Representative, ADP Partner

    Michael is our dedicated payroll expert and ADP partner, managing payroll processes with precision and helping clients navigate payroll services seamlessly.

Welcome to IAM Accounting's Virtual Assistant We're here to assist you with all your tax and accounting needs.
Hello! How can I assist you today with you tax or accounting inquiries?
Please fill out the form and our team will get back to you shortly The form was sent successfully