Any accountants here?

[mnm99]

I get my taxes done each year and my accountant tells me I get more back filing married separate. I'm good with numbers and did some digging. We make within $2000 from each other. Tho only difference is I max out my 401K and she has a pension. So when I do my numbers using the standard deduction I come out to be almost exact either way. Ex. if it's $1000 separate it's $2000 married for the return. The tax tables match doing it either way. Think he's trying to make money on doing 2 returns for me instead of one?

 

[Sublimetime]

If you are running the numbers yourself and getting results coming up so close why do you need your accountant?

 

[mnm99]

If you are running the numbers yourself and getting results coming up so close why do you need your accountant?

Yea I know. I never did my own taxes, just use the online calculators and they come close to what my accountant comes up with. I don't want to miss something, or do something wrong. Never used turbotax or stuff like that.

 

[Golfman25]

It's very unique circumstances where filing separately works out. Might be worth the investment in turbo tax to double check.

 

[Woody]

I get my taxes done each year and my accountant tells me I get more back filing married separate. I'm good with numbers and did some digging. We make within $2000 from each other. Tho only difference is I max out my 401K and she has a pension. So when I do my numbers using the standard deduction I come out to be almost exact either way. Ex. if it's $1000 separate it's $2000 married for the return. The tax tables match doing it either way. Think he's trying to make money on doing 2 returns for me instead of one?

Why not ask your accountant to show you why the one way ended up with better results than the other?

 

[alnav]

It could be a state income tax thing. Most states require the same filing status for both returns so if there is a state advantage for filing separately it might be in play. In any event, agree with trying Turbo Tax or one of the other packages. Depending on your income it might even be free.
What did your 2018 returns look like? Lots of schedules or just the 1040?

 

[markrsimon]

Here is a nice tip.. TurboTa x is free to use - they just want money when it comes time to either file or print your return.

Simply create an account, pick the highest product that meets your needs, and go to work answering questions and filling in data. It will ask you _all_ the questions and give you all the options. Look and compare the final numbers with what your accountant says.

If your good - find the required forms, fill in the same numbers, and if your totals match what TurboTa x says - file your own forms using one of the free file sites like -
https://www.freefilefillableforms.com

As an added bonus, when you return to TurboTa x next year, it has all your info from prior years.

 

[Lazy Daze]

My question to your accountant would simply be "So, you're saying that, even accounting for the extra fees of doing two separate returns, we'll still get more money back than jointly?"

 

[mnm99]

I got it guys , Thanks. It's benefits me more separate. I figured out a few other things with deductions and so on. Getting some more back this way.