As April 15th creeps closer, spouses often have questions and concerns about how to file their taxes both during divorce and after.
- What filing status should I report on my taxes?
- Who gets to claim our marital deductions this year?
- How is our tax refund divided?
Here are some answers to tax questions commonly asked by spouses going through divorce.
Which Marital Status May I Choose?
Whether you may file as single or married is determined by your marital status on December 31st of the tax year. For example, if your divorce becomes final on October 1, 2018, you may not file as married for 2018.
When Is My Divorce Considered Final for Tax Purposes?
Under Nebraska law and IRS rules, you are no longer considered married once your divorce decree becomes final, which occurs 30 daysafter your divorce decree is entered by the court. For example, if your divorce decree is entered by the court on December 2nd, 2017, then it will not become final until January 1, 2018. In this situation, you would have to file as married for your 2017 taxes.
Should I File a Joint or Separate Tax Return?
Unless a court order says otherwise, you may always file a separate tax return without coordinating with your spouse. However, marital tax burdens are usually lessened by filing a joint return. To do so, you must obtain your spouse’s consent. But it is important to note that if you have any concerns about your spouse’s truthfulness in his or her tax filings, then you should strongly consider filing separate returns.
How Are Tax Refunds or Tax Liabilities Divided?
Generally speaking, Nebraska courts will equally divide tax refunds and tax liabilities incurred by spouses during marriage regardless of whether spouses file joint or separate returns. For the tax year that you are divorced, some Nebraska judges look to how long you were married for that year to determine whether or how much of your taxes should be divided. Others look to how long you were living together with your spouse during the tax year to determine whether or how much of your taxes should be divided. For example, if you and your spouse reside together until December 1st, 2018, then it is likely that your 2018 taxes will be considered marital property.
Who Gets to Claim Tax Deductions When Filing Separately?
Unless a court order says otherwise, the spouse who files first gets to claim all tax deductions. Keep in mind, however, that if these deductions correspond to a marital tax liability (mortgage interest, etc.), then a court will likely compensate the non-claiming spouse elsewhere in the division of marital assets.
