Taxes And Marriage

[Thy Geekdom Come]

Okay, so my parents called last night to tell me that because I'm getting married on December 28 2007, instead of sometime in 2008, they can't claim me on their taxes (because of three lousy days!) and thus they lose $6,000 in tax returns. I'm opposed to moving the date, but I'm kinda between a rock and a hard place. Does anyone know of a tax law to circumvent this problem?

[Jaime]

I think you owe your folks six grand

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='hot stuff' post='1207670' date='Mar 4 2007, 10:02 AM']I think you owe your folks six grand[/quote]
Yeah...that's either the rock or the hard place...I haven't decided which.

[Anomaly]

[quote name='Raphael' post='1207666' date='Mar 4 2007, 09:56 AM']Okay, so my parents called last night to tell me that because I'm getting married on December 28 2007, instead of sometime in 2008, they can't claim me on their taxes (because of three lousy days!) and thus they lose $6,000 in tax returns. I'm opposed to moving the date, but I'm kinda between a rock and a hard place. Does anyone know of a tax law to circumvent this problem?[/quote]
A qualifying child is:
-Your son, daughter, stepchild, adopted child, foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, or stepsister, or a descendant of any of these people who:

-Was under age 19 at the end of 2006; under age 24 and a full-time student; or any age if permanently and totally disabled.
-Did not provide over half of his/her own support.
-Lived with you more than half of 2006.

The qualifying child or qualifying relative must also:
-Be a U.S. citizen or national, or a resident of the United States, Canada, or Mexico.
-[b]Not file a joint return with his or her spouse unless the return is filed only to claim a refund and no tax liability would exist for either spouse if separate returns were filed. [/b]

Spend a few bucks and meet with a tax official and discuss how you will file taxes for 2008. If you are 'grown-up' enough to get married, they you should be grown up enough to make sure your parents who are providing most of your support, are getting the proper tax credits.

[toledo_jesus]

[quote name='Raphael' post='1207666' date='Mar 4 2007, 11:56 AM']Okay, so my parents called last night to tell me that because I'm getting married on December 28 2007, instead of sometime in 2008, they can't claim me on their taxes (because of three lousy days!) and thus they lose $6,000 in tax returns. I'm opposed to moving the date, but I'm kinda between a rock and a hard place. Does anyone know of a tax law to circumvent this problem?[/quote]
You can easily move the date this far out. Do it January 2nd!
We're getting married in October, and considering we just got engaged in December we're on an accelerated schedule. We didn't actually decide on a date until I booked our honeymoon cruise. Soooo, do your parents a favor and push it back a week!

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='toledo_jesus' post='1207679' date='Mar 4 2007, 10:15 AM']You can easily move the date this far out. Do it January 2nd!
We're getting married in October, and considering we just got engaged in December we're on an accelerated schedule. We didn't actually decide on a date until I booked our honeymoon cruise. Soooo, do your parents a favor and push it back a week![/quote]
It's not looking likely. I'm hopeful to get a job at a Catholic school that would have me back at work January 3rd.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='Anomaly' post='1207677' date='Mar 4 2007, 10:14 AM']A qualifying child is:
-Your son, daughter, stepchild, adopted child, foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, or stepsister, or a descendant of any of these people who:

-Was under age 19 at the end of 2006; under age 24 and a full-time student; or any age if permanently and totally disabled.
-Did not provide over half of his/her own support.
-Lived with you more than half of 2006.

The qualifying child or qualifying relative must also:
-Be a U.S. citizen or national, or a resident of the United States, Canada, or Mexico.
-[b]Not file a joint return with his or her spouse unless the return is filed only to claim a refund and no tax liability would exist for either spouse if separate returns were filed. [/b]

Spend a few bucks and meet with a tax official and discuss how you will file taxes for 2008. If you are 'grown-up' enough to get married, they you should be grown up enough to make sure your parents who are providing most of your support, are getting the proper tax credits.[/quote]

Sorry, but the way the government words things is confusing. Is that saying that I should file separately from my bride-to-be? Is it saying that neither she nor I should not file for a refund ourselves?

[Anomaly]

[quote name='Raphael' post='1207685' date='Mar 4 2007, 10:21 AM']Sorry, but the way the government words things is confusing. Is that saying that I should file separately from my bride-to-be? Is it saying that neither she nor I should not file for a refund ourselves?[/quote]If you aren't sure how to interpret the Tax Code, spend the bucks for a Tax proffesional. You can even call the IRS and visit them on-line. It's your impending marriage that is creating a problem for your parents tax bill. It's your parents who are providing more than 1/2 of your support for 362 days of 2008.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='Raphael' post='1207685' date='Mar 4 2007, 08:21 AM']Sorry, but the way the government words things is confusing. Is that saying that I should file separately from my bride-to-be? Is it saying that neither she nor I should not file for a refund ourselves?[/quote]
Anomaly is right. You should get advice from a tax accountant.

[Norseman82]

I searched www.irs.gov, and could only find the following:

[url="http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf"]http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf[/url]

Check pages 4 and 9 through 18.

I did not see anything regarding your specific situation, although it did talk about if you were kidnapped and under 18.

The closest thing I saw was what Anomaly posted. And I would at least call the IRS and ask for advice from their help line.

And it sounds to me like either your parents can claim an exemption, or you can, but not both. That is a good "rule of thumb" to start off with.

One question to ask yourself is: do you expect to make enough money to have taxable income?

What about your fiancee's situation? What are her parents doing taxwise?

Have all this information on hand when you talk to the IRS or a tax professional.

And please keep in mind that the information and publications we are quoting are for tax year 2006; the
rules could change for tax year 2007.

And if you're confused, join the club. To me, it seems laws are written to drum up business for three occupations, lawyers, CPAs, and therapists.

[peach_cube]

If you know your priest see if he'll just date the marriage certificate January 1st. I was married on December 27th. My wife's parents were extremely active in the church...

[Norseman82]

Also, check out this publication:


[url="http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p929.pdf"]http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p929.pdf[/url]

[Norseman82]

[quote name='peach_cube' post='1207795' date='Mar 4 2007, 01:09 PM']If you know your priest see if he'll just date the marriage certificate January 1st. I was married on December 27th. My wife's parents were extremely active in the church...[/quote]

Catholic discussion forums should not be a vehicle to encourage falsification of documents, not only because the IRS is involved, but also due to 10 commandments issues....

[Sojourner]

[quote name='Norseman82' post='1207821' date='Mar 4 2007, 01:11 PM']Catholic discussion forums should not be a vehicle to encourage falsification of documents, not only because the IRS is involved, but also due to 10 commandments issues....[/quote]
Agreed. I would encourage you, Micah, to find a way to address the situation that doesn't involve asking your priest to lie for you.

[dairygirl4u2c]

Maybe in the eyes of the Church you can be married on the 28th but legally on the first? Guess I don't know what to say, but I'd think you could file officially three days later. no expert.