joint filing taxes and divorce

[nanademi]

What is the name of your state?
Texas

My husband and I are divorcing, it is non-contested.

He had a business that closed in February 2004. We plan on filing jointly for 2004 since we were married the majority of the year, and also because the exemptions, etc should offset or reduce the tax liability caused by the death of the business. How does this need to be worded in the decree?

 

[tigger22472]

Someone else will come an answer some of your questions, however, you do realize that when you file your taxes they ask for your marital status as of Dec. 31st of the prior year so if your divorce is final on Dec. 31st you can not claim married.

 

[cyana24]

Tigger's correct; even you're "officially" divorced on December 31 the IRS considers you "single" for the entire year. I was divorced by mid-December but had to claim "single" status. Best go back and recompute those taxes - I'm sorry.