Tax Brake with Robert G. Nath, Esq.
"The IRS as Your Marriage Advisor"
- Week of 6/10/02 -
|
| What a world we live in - the IRS is now in the marriage counseling business. Actually, it's for real: the IRS has issued “advice to newlyweds” that makes terrific sense. It's a practical guide once the real honeymoon is over, since there is NO tax honeymoon.
First, get the names right. If you change your name, let Social Security know and update your care. Use Form SS-5, available on the SSA website. Next, report any change of address. Use Form 8822, available at irs.gov (as most forms are). Address changes are of critical importance since many tax notices get lost if there is no such change eon file. Third, ensure you get your refund check. Notify the Post Office about your address change, as well as the IRS. Use the IRS' website to check the status of your refund under “Where's My Refund.” If too much time has passed or the site indicates you should have received your refund, better follow up with a phone call. Fourth, use the right IRS forms. You might consider itemizing where you used standard deduction before. Your return might become more complicated because other deductions, such as for home mortgage interest or charities, become important. Finally, check your filing status. You are “married” for tax purposes if you were legally married on December 31. This is true even you got married ON that date. Marriage entitles you to elect “married filing jointly” status as well as married filing separately. Which status you elect is a function of both of your tax situations and should be evaluated each year. So congratulations. The IRS wishes you a long and happy life together. Of course, the IRS also wants to know about that life, at least as if affects your tax bill. The hints above will help both you and the IRS to remain “married” for a lifetime. |
|
Suggest this page to a friend. © 2002 LawTek Media Group, LLC |
|
This website and the linked publications
contain the opinions and ideas of its author(s) and are designed
to provide useful discussion to the reader on the subject matter
covered. Any references to products or services do not constitute
or imply an endorsement or recommendation. The advice or
discussion presented in this website or linked publications are
not intended for use by any particular person and do not constitute
the rendering of legal, accounting, financial, or other advise
of any type. The publisher and the author(s) specifically
disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk (financial,
personal or otherwise) which may be claimed or incurred as a consequence,
directly or indirectly, of the use and/or application of any of
the contents of this website or the linked publications.
Information on this website and linked publications is provided
"as is" without any warranty of any kind, either express
or implied. All intellectual property, including without
limitation trademarks, trade secrets and copyrights, are the property
of Robert G. Nath, Esq. and any unauthorized use thereof is strictly
prohibited. Any person is hereby authorized to view the
information available on this website for informational purposes
only. No part of the information on this site may be used,
redistributed, copied or reproduced without the prior written
consent of Mr. Robert Nath or LawTek Media Group, LLC. Linked
websites are not under the control of Mr. Robert Nath or LawTek
Media Group, LLC and no representation whatsoever is made about
any other website (or information found therein) which you may
access through this website. Links are provided only as
a convenience and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsements
or acceptance of any liabilith whatsoever for the contents or
the use of such website. IN NO EVENT WILL MR. NATH BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WITH ANY USE OF THIS WEBSITE, OR ON ANY OTHER LINKED WEBSITE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY LOST PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF PROGRAMS OR OTHER DATA ON YOUR INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF WE ARE EXPRESSLY ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THE ENTIRE RISK ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF ANY INFORMATION FOUND HEREIN REMAINS WITH THE RECIPIENT. BY USING THIS WEBSITE AND ANY LINKED WEBSITE OR PUBLICATIONS REFERENCED THEREIN, THE USER OR READER AGREES IN ADVANCE WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS A CONDITION PRECEDENT TO SUCH USE. No information or materials posted here are intended to constitute legal advice, nor can we guarantee the accuracy of posted information, especially as to each individual situation. LawTek does not independently check the information contained herein and does not refer or endorse any product, service, or firm. This site does not constitute an attorney-client relationship; local counsel should always be consulted. |