Does Tax Effect Seperated Couples?

Hello, I am seperated from my wife and I would like to know if this hurts me on my income tax.
we decided to file married but seperate this year and found out I had to pay and she didn't. Luckily, we were still eligible to file jointly, and when we did it, the income tax came to show that we didn't have to pay.
My question is, does it hurt my income tax at the end of the year because I am seperated and not married. Am getting penalized for this. Should I just divroce and file as a single person coming next tax season, please help. thank you.

Usually, taxes are less for a single taxpayer than for a taxpayer who is married filing separately. However, as you know, sometimes taxes are less for taxpayers married filing jointly, so it is not possible to give a general answer to the question It depends too much on your individual circumstances.

I suggest you get Publication 504 Divorced or Separated Individuals, which you can download for free at the IRS site at: [url]http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/forms_pubs/index.html[/url] That publication discusses the problem and gives the rules.