Can Married People File As If They Are Single

[rocknrollhighschool]

ok, so they would check to see if you are married if you are single and try to file as married. What if you are married and file as single, instead of married filing separately? is there any difference between those two statuses?

[seniorjudge]

If you got audited in one of those random audits, you could be spending time in Leavenworth.

[Mr. Knowitall]

It would seem that you would be setting yourself up to have the false representation detected by the IRS, which could trigger an audit. Use a tax preparation software program to see what, if any, difference you see in your tax numbers as "married, filing separatly" versus "single" - but if you really want to claim to be single, perhaps you should divorce before filing your taxes.

[Dad2]

If the 2 people who are unmarried, decide to file as married, and they both live at the same address, odds are, you won't set up a red flag, and can go on your merry way. The type of people who do this, spend alot of time in Vegas, as they like the gamble
If you are married, you can file as "Married filing separately". But, why would you. I've never seen a case where this actually increases your refund. In reality, you would get thousands LESS.
If you are married, and you file as single ( again, why would you ), that's just as bad as the first scenario. The only difference being, if found out, the IRS might just slide that under the carpet, as you will usually end up getting a refund after the audit.

[Happy Trails]

If the 2 people who are unmarried, decide to file as married, and they both live at the same address, odds are, you won't set up a red flag, and can go on your merry way. The type of people who do this, spend alot of time in Vegas, as they like the gamble
If you are married, you can file as "Married filing separately". But, why would you. I've never seen a case where this actually increases your refund. In reality, you would get thousands LESS.
If you are married, and you file as single ( again, why would you ), that's just as bad as the first scenario. The only difference being, if found out, the IRS might just slide that under the carpet, as you will usually end up getting a refund after the audit.

His other thread sheds some light as to why he asking this question.

Rocknrollhighschool, is your dad going to be claiming you on his tax return?

I agree with SJ in your other thread, "...spill the beans to everyone".

[llworking]

ok, so they would check to see if you are married if you are single and try to file as married. What if you are married and file as single, instead of married filing separately? is there any difference between those two statuses?

If there are no children involved, then filing as single vs married filing separately might not produce much of a difference in results, with perhaps the exception of education credits. If education credits are not involved, and you are both fairly low income, then filing single might produce no difference in results at all.

However, if children are involved, and you file as single when you should file as married filing separately, then you could get yourself in a world of hurt.

Just file a joint return. Unless your parents are overly involved in your return filing or unless your parents are expecting to claim you as a dependent, they will never know the difference.

However, if your parents are expecting to claim you because you are a student, then you are going to have to spill the beans, or risk your parents possibly getting in a world of hurt with the IRS.

[Happy Trails]

If there are no children involved, then filing as single vs married filing separately might not produce much of a difference in results, with perhaps the exception of education credits. If education credits are not involved, and you are both fairly low income, then filing single might produce no difference in results at all.

However, if children are involved, and you file as single when you should file as married filing separately, then you could get yourself in a world of hurt.

Just file a joint return. Unless your parents are overly involved in your return filing or unless your parents are expecting to claim you as a dependent, they will never know the difference.

However, if your parents are expecting to claim you because you are a student, then you are going to have to spill the beans, or risk your parents possibly getting in a world of hurt with the IRS.

I agree.

They got married early for FAFSA purposes.

By not telling the parents (if they are claimed by each of the parents and they claim themselves) their SS#'s are going to used twice, sending a red flag to the IRS (then parents will find out anyway).

Also when they fill out the FAFSA application, they will also have to provide a copy of their tax return and financial aid is going to wonder why they filed as single, but did not provide parents' income on the form. Then they will have to explain that they are married and didn't need to.

The truth is the smart way to go, and hope the parents will get over the fact that their, adult children are married.