What to Know About Filing Jointly vs. Separately 

👫 Filing Jointly: The Most Common Option

Married Filing Jointly means you and your spouse combine income and file one return together. This option usually offers the best tax benefits.

Pros:

• Lower tax brackets for combined income

• Higher standard deduction ($29,200 in 2025)

• Access to key tax credits, like:

  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

  • Child Tax Credit (CTC)

  • Education credits (like the American Opportunity Credit)

• Often leads to a larger refund or smaller tax bill

Cons:

• You’re both responsible for any errors or unpaid taxes (joint liability)

• If one spouse owes back taxes or child support, it could affect your refund

👥 Filing Separately: When It Might Make Sense

Married Filing Separately means each spouse files their own return, reporting only their own income and deductions.

This could be a good idea if:

• One of you has significant medical expenses, and filing separately allows you to deduct more

• You want to keep finances completely separate

• One spouse has major tax debt or legal concerns

• You both earn about the same, and deductions are balanced

But be careful—filing separately usually means:

• You’ll lose or reduce access to many credits (EITC, student loan interest deduction, etc.)

• You’ll have higher tax rates than joint filers

• Both must itemize or both must take the standard deduction—no mixing!

📌 Final Tip

Filing jointly is usually the most tax-friendly option for couples, but if your financial situation is complex, it’s worth comparing both methods or speaking with a tax professional.