Getting Married or Divorced? What That Means for Your Tax Return

Life changes like marriage or divorce can be joyful, stressful, and everything in between but they also change your tax situation. Whether you tied the knot this year or finalized a divorce, the IRS needs to know and how you file your taxes can affect everything from your refund amount to your eligibility for credits.

What Is Your Filing Status?

Your marital status on December 31 determines your status for the entire tax year. So even if you got married or divorced on New Year’s Eve, that’s how you file.

In 2025, there are 5 filing statuses:

Single
Married Filing Jointly
Married Filing Separately
Head of Household
Qualifying Surviving Spouse (less common)

After Marriage: What Changes?

When you get married, you have two options:

Married Filing Jointly (MFJ)
Married Filing Separately (MFS)

Married Filing Jointly

This is usually the most beneficial choice. You’ll:

Get a higher standard deduction: $29,200 in 2025
Access more tax credits (EITC, Child Tax Credit, education credits)
Likely pay a lower combined tax rate

For example:
If one spouse earns $60,000 and the other earns $20,000, filing jointly often lowers your tax bracket compared to filing separately.

Married Filing Separately

You may want to consider this if:

One spouse has high medical expenses
You want to separate liability for tax debt
There are concerns over income reporting

But beware of filing separately often reduces or eliminates eligibility for many credits and deductions.

How Marriage Affects Your Taxes.

Here’s what else you need to know:

1. W-4 Adjustments

Update your W-4 with your employer. Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to get accurate withholding as a married couple.

irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator

2. Name Changes

If you change your name after marriage, notify the Social Security Administration (SSA). The name on your tax return must match your SSA records.

3. Address Changes

File a Change of Address (Form 8822) with the IRS if you move. Also update with the post office and any state tax agencies.

4. Combining Income

All income is combined when you file jointly — including:

W-2s
1099s
Self-employment income
Investments and rental income

Keep good records from both partners to make filing smooth.

After Divorce: What Changes?

Divorce affects your taxes in multiple ways including your filing status, income reporting, deductions, and child-related credits.

Your marital status on December 31, 2025 determines how you file.

Filing Options After Divorce

Single – If you don’t qualify for any other status
Head of Household (HOH) – If you have a qualifying dependent and meet certain support and housing requirements

To file as Head of Household, you must:

Be unmarried on Dec 31
Pay more than half the cost of keeping up a home
Have a qualifying dependent (typically a child who lived with you for over 6 months)

HOH gives you a larger standard deduction ($21,900) and more favorable tax brackets than Single.

Child-Related Tax Considerations.

Children often complicate tax filings after divorce. Here’s what matters:

1. Who Can Claim the Child?

Generally, the custodial parent claims the child. However, with an IRS Form 8332, the custodial parent can let the noncustodial parent claim:

Child Tax Credit (CTC)
Credit for Other Dependents
Tuition-related credits (in some cases)

You cannot “split” the child between two tax returns.

2. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

Only the custodial parent can claim the EITC (no exceptions). Even with Form 8332, the noncustodial parent cannot claim this credit.

3. Child Support vs. Alimony

Child support is not taxable and not deductible
Alimony (post-2018 divorce agreements) is also not taxable/deductible

Older divorce agreements may still treat alimony as taxable, depending on the date and structure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid.

Filing as “Married” when already divorced
Both parents claiming the same child
Not updating your W-4 after a status change
Ignoring name mismatches (e.g., IRS system rejects “new” last name)
Assuming divorce always means HOH status, it requires meeting support rules

What Documents to Keep.

After marriage or divorce, keep:

Marriage certificate or divorce decree
Any court orders regarding dependents or custody
Form 8332 (if releasing dependent claim)
Updated W-4s and SSA confirmation letters
Proof of household expenses (rent, mortgage, utilities) for HOH status

FAQ.

Q: Can I file jointly if we’re separated but not legally divorced?
A: Yes, if you’re still legally married on December 31, you can file jointly or separately.

Q: Can both parents claim HOH if they share custody?
A: No. Only one parent can claim Head of Household for each qualifying child. If each parent has a different child, they may both file HOH.

Q: Do I need to tell the IRS I got divorced?
A: No formal notification is needed, but your name, filing status, and dependent claims will reflect the change when you file.

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