I got married this year.How should we file?

You could figure it both ways to be sure, but you're almost certain to do as well or better by filing joint than by filing as married filing separately.

Note: if you file as married filing separately and one of you itemizes, the other one must also, so you can't lump all your itemized deductions on one return and take a standard deduction for the other one, even if the house is in your name only.

Your marital status for federal tax purposes is determined on the last day of the tax year. So, since you will be married and, I'm assuming, living together as of 12/31/2006, your only filing status choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately. Neither of you will qualify for filing head of household as someone else had suggested.

With that said, it is usually more beneficial to file jointly, especially if you live in a commuity property state. The only way to know for sure, however, is to prepare mock tax returns both ways and do a comparison.

We do our own... and since you said you would be doing your own... if you know how to do them, and if you dont have too much going on besides the dependent.... I would just try doing up your taxes as married filing jointly AND as married filing seperately. I know that sounds like a lot of work... but, if you are like me, it isn't any trouble. And that way, you can find out which works out better for you. I don't know, maybe that just sounds stupid.

By the way, in response to RAY, you will not be able to file head of household, since you got married within the year. It doesn't matter if you got married on the 28th of December.

You should file jointly. There are exceptional cases when it is more advantageous to file separately, but you have not indicated that this is the case.

If you or your spouse have unusual itemized deductions such as excessive medical deductions, figure your returns both ways and then decide.

For $20 pick up Turbo Tax and figure out with yourself as Head of Household and your husband as "single" and compare the taxes and deductions compared to Married - filed Jointly. If you buy the program tomorrow Dec 31st you can deduct it... keep the receipt. Turbo Tax will walk you through it. The basic version is fine for your needs.

you can file joint and 1 dependent since tou own a home, when you file you have to do a long form cause you own a home.

I prepare income tax returns for a living...banjos-70 is the most comprehensive explanation.. Good advice.

some people did not even make 10,000!!

Don't rub it in.

do a joint one BEALEAVE ME ITS FOR THE BEST