Today TaxMama hears from Myra in the TaxQuips Forum with lots of questions. “I filed an extension. How should I file at year end? Single, married but filing at a single rate, or jointly. My husband receives Social Security disability. I file from a K-1. I have large amounts of deductions. I also can claim my son who is disabled and lives at home. I provide for him for over six months of the year. I pay estimated tax but I don’t think I paid enough.”
Dear Myra,
You filed an extension – that means you have until October 15th to finish preparing and filing your tax return. Do it sooner, rather than later, so you don’t miss the deadline.
You are married, you say? So you file as married. Either as married filing separately, or as married filing jointly. You never file as single. Why would you even think that? I am not sure about this area of confusion?
Your best bet is to file as married filing jointly. Some, or up to 80%, of your husband’s Social Security income will be taxed. You may claim an exemption for your son – as long as he did not earn more than $3,650 for the year. Use the deductions you have.
If you need help, you should be able to get free help preparing the tax return at a VITA or AARP Tax-Aide site. See, there’s no need for you to guess how to prepare your tax return.
You won’t know if you paid in enough until you actually prepare the tax return. So, set aside your fears of owing taxes and finish it up. Then you’ll know the bad news. OR…perhaps it won’t be as bad as you think.
And if you owe, Myra, there are ways to put it on an installment plan without getting into trouble. So please, take care of this. You will worry less.
And remember, you can find answers to all kinds of questions about how to file your tax returns and other tax issues, free. Where? Where else? At www.TaxMama.com.
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