Married vs Single Filing Status

Filing status affects standard deduction, tax brackets, credit eligibility, and other rules. It is one of the first inputs a tax calculator needs.

Common statuses

Common federal statuses include single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, and qualifying surviving spouse. Each has different requirements.

Marriage penalty or bonus

Two-income couples may see different results after marriage depending on income levels, deductions, credits, and state rules. Some couples see a lower combined tax; others see a higher one.

Calculator use

Use filing status scenarios to compare broad outcomes, but do not assume eligibility for a status without checking IRS rules.