tax return with divorce

[smokey29]

What is the name of your state? TN

My wife left me in March of 2005. I signed divorce papers in July but I don't think it is final yet or even filed as I have not heard anything and I don't talk to her.

Just wondering how this will affect my taxes and my filing status? We always filed jointly before but we have not lived together almost the whole year.

BTW, we have no children.

 

[abezon]

Unless your divorce is finalized (court decree) by 12/31/2005, your available filing statuses are married separate and married joint. You 2 can still file jointly even though you didn't live together.

I suggest you contact the courthouse listed on the divorce papers to check the status of the case. If things aren't final, you should contact your wife somehow & determine whether you will be divorced by 12/31, & if not, whether you'll file jointly. If you end up filing married separate, you'll probably have a substantial balance due in April, so you should get your taxes prepared as soon as possible. You can file a balance due return in February and still don't have to send in a check until 4/15.

 

[MomIsWorried]

You can file "Single" if you are legally separated under a separate maintenance decree. If your divorce is final on the last day of the year, you are considered unmarried for the entire year, and then cannot file a joint return.