Your tax filing status is a category that determines the rate at which your income is taxed. Generally speaking, your filing status depends on whether you are single or married on December 31. That fact determines your status for the whole year.
In some situations, more than one status may apply (you can see all the statuses below). In those cases, you can choose the status that allows you to pay the least amount of tax.
The Five Filing Statuses
- Single: this is the most basic filing status and normally the correct option if you are unmarried, divorced, or legally separated under a divorce or separate maintenance decree governed by state law.
- Married filing jointly: if you are married, you can file together with your spouse. When a spouse passes away, the other person can normally file a joint return for that year.
- Married filing separately: married couples may opt for filing separately. This option may result in a lower tax bill compared to filing jointly.
- Head of household: if you are unmarried you may also qualify for this status, although special rules apply. One of the most basic is that you must have paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home for themselves and a qualifying person living in the home for half the year.
- Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child: this status applies to taxpayers whose spouse died during one of the previous two years and they have a dependent child. There are other conditions that may apply as well.
Having difficulties determining your filing status? Don’t worry. You can use the online assistant What Is My Filing Status? The system will ask you a series of simple questions and at the end, you’ll discover your correct filing status.
Learn More About Taxes
These are some previous posts with useful tips to help you navigate with confidence the world of taxes:
- These are your options if you didn’t file your taxes on time
- 4 Tax-related scams to avoid
- Expecting a tax refund? Here’s everything you need to know
- Remember this important thing when you get your Economic Impact Payment
- The 4 most common questions about Economic Impact Payments
Contact the Tax Experts at Delgado’s Insurance
If you are looking for assistance with your Income Taxes in Bloomington or Riverside, at Delgado’s Insurance our mission is helping you make sense of your options to reduce your liability and maximize your deductions while staying compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.
We have locations in Riverside, California, and Bloomington, California. Contact us today by telephone (951-361-0084, 909-421-9003), email (mail@delgadosinsurance.com), or through our social media accounts to get a free quote and learn more about our wide array of services.
