robkris8079 Posted December 19, 2006 Posted December 19, 2006 Hello again people. It's been a little while since I posted. I got a question regarding taxes for those who have been divorced. First a little background... Wife cheated on me and left our home back in August. She left the baby living with me. Not that she had a choice because there would be no way I was going to give her up (her meaing my daughter, I'd give the ex away a million times over). I served her with the papers. She is filing pro se and I have a lawyer. Anyway taxes are coming and I am still going to be married at the end of the year. Can't finalize divo until February. My question is how should I file. I mean obviously I want to claim the baby and the house. She makes hardly no money and it's obvious that my income was paying all of the bills. It's obvious because I seem to have more money now that she is gone. Dam she spent alot of money! So I can take the right path and talk to the ex about it but I'm thinking of being a little selfish. I think I might file first and claim all the goods like house and baby. What do you all think. I don't even know if this is possible but I might try it. I usually end up owing a few hundred. Any input is appreciated.
dgiirl Posted December 19, 2006 Posted December 19, 2006 I dont know what the tax laws are where you live but your lawyer is probably the best person to ask advice on. Ask him what's fesible or talk to an accountant. Where I live, I could file joint (as if we were still married) or file separately (and mark that we're separated).
Author robkris8079 Posted December 19, 2006 Author Posted December 19, 2006 I can either file married joint or married seperately. I guess I could ask my lawyer but I try and talk to her as little as possible. Phone calls can rack up the bill and I don't want to over spend my retainer of $3k. But if I have to call her I will.
blind_otter Posted December 19, 2006 Posted December 19, 2006 don't talk to a lawyer. Talk to an accountant. You can get an accountant to do a breakdown of the difference between the tax bill whether you file jointly or single. THey do that all the time at the accounting firm I do seasonal work at. It may be cheaper for you to file jointly....
TYASAFAHICSI Posted December 20, 2006 Posted December 20, 2006 There are typically greater tax breaks filing jointly--ie medical expenses,deductions and so forth. However, with the pending divorce, you MAY be able to get away with filing Head of Household. BO is right, ask an accountant in CT. Also, be sure that if you file separately, that you both do not claim the same deductions (dependents, mortgage intetrest, investment income, etc) or you could wind up in a world of mess with the IRS in five years!
FlyingHigh Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 Since you are seperated at the end of the tax year, file seperately but head of household with your child as dependent. I'd file first before your wife does because then it will be up to your wife and her accountant to make sure she files correctly rather than the other way around.
GreenEyedLady Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 I don't think that you can file Head of Household until you are actually divorced...that was what I wanted to do, but couldn't due to still being married (at the time, but it was a while ago, 3 years)...but check with your tax person...Now I file Head of Household...and tax considerations should be spelled out in your divorce, re: who claims dependent etc...
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