Lisa A
 |
File an amended tax return asap, before you get caught, before you get audited, and before any more penalties and interest pile up (if you're going to owe.)
Fill out a form 1040X. It can be found on the IRS web site.
|
|
bostonianinmo
 |
So, you lied to yourself?? YOU are the taxpayer!
First off, you don't file your 2008 taxes until next year. So the return you filed this year was for 2007.
Next, if you were married as of Dec 31, 2007 your can ONLY file as Married Filing Separately or Married Filing Jointly. If you filed as Single, you filed illegally. You MUST file an amended return using one of the 2 filing statuses noted above.
If someone else prepared your return for you as Single, fire that idiot -- AFTER they prepare the amended return(s) for you.
Of course, this whole mess begs another question: How did your spouse file? If your spouse also filed as Single, then he needs to file an amended return as well. You can either file a single amended return as Married Filing Jointly, or you each must file an amended return as Married Filing Jointly.
You may or may not be looking at any additional tax liability. If you owe any extra tax, there will be penalties and interest for late payment. However there's also a chance that you might be due some additional refund but you won't know until you file the necessary amended return(s). |
|
v b
 |
Okay, you got married in 2007. You filed as single, which was incorrect.
If you have modest income and did not claim EIC or an Education credit, you may come out okay just updating the tax return to MFS. (A few years ago, the tax laws fixed a lot of the "marriage penalty.")
If you did claim HOH, EIC and/or various credits that are not allowed with MFS, then you need to amend quickly. Either amend to MFS or merge your returns together into MFJ. Either way you could owe money. |
|
kieru
 |
talk to a tax-help representative and ask them |
|
Judy1
|
You need to amend your return and file properly. What did your spouse do? If your spouse didn't have income so didn't file, you might even end up with a refund when you make the correction.
The other thing you should do is to find another tax preparer for next time - sounds like this one is clueless. |
|
snicker
|
you should not cheat,it only comes back to bite you in the a#$. |
|
swt_blu_eyes33
 |
First off... an audit is not very likely on one person stated. IRS audits are the result of a filer having several factors which makes him/her a good audit candidate, not the result of a single mistake.
Second, make sure that you filed as 'single' and not 'married filing separately'. If you filed as 'married filing separately', you don't need to do anything for 2007. If you did file as 'single', you need to file an amended 2007 return.
Finally, for 2008, you should speak to a tax professional regarding whether 'married filing jointly' or 'married filing separately' suits you best for 2008. |
|
TaxGurl
|
If you are married, you are only allowed two filing options: married filing jointly or married filing separately. The other answers that say it's ok to file single if you are married are WRONG. That is illegal.
To fix your situation, you need to file an amended return. This is done using form 1040X. On that form, you list all of the items from your incorrect return, then how you should have filed and write a little explanation.
If you need help, you can go to H&R Block or one of the other tax preparers. Generally, married filing jointly will result in a slightly larger refund than filing single. If you will be due an additional refund, you only have 3 years from the original tax deadline to claim it so don't wait too long. If you will end up owing money, it's better to settle it soon because the IRS will tack on interest and penalties. (If so, I'd try to find a way to make your tax preparer pay the penalties since you were given clearly incorrect information.) |
|
travelguruette
 |
You have not done your 2008 taxes yet so you could not have filed single. Do you mean your 2007 taxes you filed single? You can file married filing joint or married filing separately. If you file separately you lose most deductions. There are circumstances where it is better to file separately. If you filed single then you need to do an amended 1040x. What did your husband file? You are welcome to email me with more specific information. |
|
Jss
|
Filed single for 2008?
Did you file as Single your 2007 tax return? If yes, you must file the amended tax return.
Read about filing status for married
http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/02/filing-status-for-married.html |
|
P00KlE
|
LOL.
Why would you file single if you're MARRIED?
|
|
r_kav
|
I think this sets a new record for the number of dumb answers. Listen to the "Top Contributors", and ignore the rest. |
|
Stoli
|
You probably shouldn't worry about it. The IRS is looking for big money. Not small errors. In the grand scheme of things, they already have taken too much from you. But you might want to look at this page. http://en.allexperts.com/q/Tax-Law-Questions-932/Single-Married-Filing-Status.htm
and btw...anyone who said you can file single is wrong...a little blurb from wikipedia...emphasis on the second half of the sentence.
Generally, if you are unmarried, divorced, or legally separated according to your state law on December 31st, you must file as a single person for that year because your marital status at year end applies for the entire tax year. |
|
Art H
|
You need to complete an ammended return for both you and your spouse. Depending on you and your spouses income levels, the change might not be too dramatic. Current IRS code does actually impose a "marriage penalty", ie a married couple filing together will pay more tax than if they were still single. |
|
MAGIE
|
Tell the truth that your taxpayer lied to you at the first place, then amend your mistakes. Never belief a person 100% or even believe them at all.
Best to find out your self before doing something wrong. |
|
Jorgie_Porgie
|
you can file married but not jointly my mother in law does this. Call an H & R block and find out if anything bad will happen they are usually the nicer ones to call. If there is then let them know you need help to solve the problem they always help u |
|
lucky m
 |
well there are a few things that you can do...start saving now so that you can pay the difference that you are going to need to pay when you do your taxes next year. change your status and also save then send a adjustment payment to make up for it |
|
Queen Bee
|
I think the more people you have in your family, the more you can write off. You just can't use your husband as a write off. So I don't think there will be consequences cuz since you didn't name your husband, you'll end up paying more money at tax time! |
|
Burr
|
Dont do anything...they probably dont even know...but you could call IRS and ask them to be sure but they will probably tell you to refile to get your money or maybe they will owe you money but if it were me I would not do anything, |
|
S D
|
Start gathering up old receipts and cheques for an audit that is very likely. Also, fire your accountant. |
|
Tommy M
|
You can file single but it will cost you more in taxes. File married and split the money with your ex if you were married til first of year
|
|
badspeller
 |
is OK either way |
|
firsty
|
You can file single or married. There are different benefits to each. Take a look at Taxes for Dummies, it will have a clear explanation of everything to consider. |
|
MAGIC MAN
|
RELAX...PATIENCE, YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO REPORT IT ON YOUR TAXES THESE YEAR. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET MORE BACK. |
|
M
|
Hi, oh don't worry about that. I always file single. It doesn't matter because the government knows both your files. By filing single you can claim the rent, expenses, health, etc. If you are making more money than your husband but if your husband is making more than he should claim all those things. |
|
| |
|
Homepage 
Financial
Forum 
Taxes 
No Spam
Adult 
Gambling
Unfinished
Deception
Plagiarism
Not English
