Your filing status affects everything from your tax brackets to whether you have to file at all. Here’s how the rules work.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Admitted NY Bar and US Tax Court, covers US international tax law. Filing a U.S. tax return when not required may seem unnecessary ...

Rebecca Rosenberg has 10+ years of experience as a writer and content strategist. She has written dozens of articles on retirement, financial planning, business, tech, and more. Rebecca has a master’s ...

Current reports five steps to simplify tax filing: set aside money for taxes, understand paperwork, organize documents, ...

You must file a federal tax return if your income meets the IRS filing threshold for your age and filing status, if you ...

Some experts would advise a couple to file jointly if they can, but is it actually the right call for you? Thomas is a native of upstate New York and a graduate of the University at Albany. As a ...

A check mark. It indicates that the relevant content has been reviewed and verified by an expert This story has been reviewed by a professional to ensure you get the most accurate and useful ...

You may have tied the knot, but are you ready to file your taxes together? Having to pick between "married filing jointly" and "married filing separately" may feel like a relationship test, but it's ...

Dashia is the consumer insights editor for CNET. She specializes in data-driven analysis and news at the intersection of tech, personal finance and consumer sentiment. Dashia investigates economic ...