OK, my wife did not work any in 2004 because she is a full time student. Does she have to file any taxes, state or federal?

Do I file 'married filing joint' or 'separate' on federal? Or do I still run it both ways to see which one works out best for the federal portion.

 

Dear Galaxy I go to H&R Block for my taxes, I suggest you do the same, the money they can save you will well exceed the $92 they charge you. I always get this same cute young girl every year I go, I always ask her " How can you be so beautiful and intelligent at the same time?" I always figured most beautiful women are airheads, but I was wrong. some do have both, good looks and brains.

 

I'm not an expert at taxes but I don't think she has to since she had no taxable income.

Check around I bet you can get someone to do your taxes for cheaper then H&R Block. I get mine done through my credit union. This accounttant gives our credit union members a discounted price. I only pay 50$.

 

Oh I forgot she may want to if she has student loans...I think they may be deductible or something not really sure though.

 

Unless you have a large amount of itemized deductions, it would not make sense for you to file single since the married filing jointly standard deduction is so much greater.

If your situation is not extremely complicated, go to H&R Block's web site or go buy Turbo Tax - their calculations are guaranteed. I've been using them for the last 7 years, and have not had a problem.

GL,

Jamie D.

 

I'm not sure about your wife since she did not make any money in 2004, but my wife is a student and received a very nice tax break for it in 2003. I also suggest calling H&R Block or someone more knowledgable.

 

I agree with Jed go to Turbo Tax. You can either buy it or go online. I prefer the online version. It only costs 19.95.

Since she is a full-time student she should be able to receive some kind of credit. I presume she was a college student. If were you married last year, her tuition and fees can be taken as a credit against your taxes.

Typically filing "married joint" will give you the best results. This can and does change in certain situations. I DO NOT trust any one completely with my taxes. I always do them long hand and then check with who ever I use to see if one of us missed anything. This requires some knowledge of the tax code, but nobody looks out for your interests better then you. I've seen way too many people lean to the very conservative side of the tax code. To the point of not allowing some valid deductions because they were in a grey area.

A guy I work with constatnly goes to the same people the first year they screwed up and left off some of his pay and he received a bill form the IRS for $800 instead of receiving the check for $4,000. The second year they screwed up agian and cost him some money, but I don't remember how much. The bonehead is going to them again this year. The point is, if you go to someone to have them done make sure you ask around and find one who can do them correctly.

 

TurboTax online…

I have used it the past 4 years. Mine are done this year and already accepted by the IRS. Should have my refund in the back in about another 8 days or so…


I don’t fluck around…

 

My wife just graduated last year. We filed jointly for all four years, using turbo tax to calculate the tax break from her school. You should get a statement from the school she's attending that gives you the qualified amount you paid. You can also deduct some for "related expences" like books and such (need receipts). The first two years of higher education you get a better tax break (Hope credit) instead of a deduction. Again turbo tax helps you get this sorted out. Of course any of the tax preparation firms can help you do the same thing. BTW my wife didn't show any income for that time, which was OK, just listed her as a student. Used turbo tax to change the calculation (give her all deductions, me all deductions, married filing separated, etc) and for us married filing jointly worked best.

 

Taxes, I paid my taxes over a year ago... D'oh!

TurboTax is great, I use the online version and I love how it transfers your info from year to year. It does a very good job of leading you through it. I'm still waiting for my W2 from work, they promise I'll have it by the end of january...