In general, a married couple has the option of filing a joint tax return even if the spouses don't live together. There's one exception, though. If you and your spouse are living under a "decree of separate maintenance" -- which is a court's legal recognition that you are separated -- then the Internal Revenue Service considers you unmarried.
Living Apart
It's hardly unheard-of for a married couple to live apart from each other. One spouse may have had to move for a job, for school, for a military deployment or for some other reason. Couples who aren't getting along may be experimenting with a trial separation but are not interested in making that separation "official." As long as the couple is legally married and has not sought court recognition of their separation, they have the right to either file a joint tax return or file as "married filing separately."
Separate Maintenance
Under IRS rules, you cannot file a joint tax return -- or even file as married filing separately -- if a court has decreed that you are legally separated. The date that matters is Dec. 31 of the tax year. If you were living under a decree of separate maintenance on that day, then the IRS considers you unmarried for the whole year. If you're separated on that day but have not had the separation legally recognized, then the IRS considers you married for the whole year.
Filing as Unmarried
If you're considered unmarried under IRS rules, you must file your taxes either as single or, if you are caring for children or certain other dependents, as head of household. Married filing statuses are not available to you as long as the decree of separate maintenance remains in effect.
About Decrees
Note that a decree of separate maintenance is something that must be actively requested from a court. If you and your spouse are living apart and don't consider yourselves legally separated -- which is the functional equivalent of divorce -- then you have no reason to seek a decree, and none will be issued. You don't have to worry about a court, the IRS or anyone else deciding for you that you're legally separated.
References
- Cornell University Legal Information Institute: Joint Returns of Income Tax by Husband and Wife
- Internal Revenue Service: Publication 17 - Marital Status / Considered Married
- Internal Revenue Service: Publication 504 - Unmarried Persons
- Clark County (Nev.) Courts: Decree of Separate Maintenance
- IRS. “Publication 501, Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information,” Page 8. Accessed Feb. 18, 2020.
- IRS. "IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2019." Accessed Feb. 18, 2020.
- The Tax Foundation. "2020 Tax Brackets." Accessed Feb. 17, 2020.
- Tax Policy Center. “What Is the Difference Between Marginal and Average Tax Rates?” Accessed Feb. 18, 2020.
- IRS. "IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2020." Accessed Feb. 18, 2020.
- IRS. “Topic No. 205 Innocent Spouse Relief (Including Separation of Liability and Equitable Relief).” Accessed Feb. 18, 2020.
- IRS. “Innocent Spouse Questions & Answers.” Accessed Feb. 18, 2020.
- Taxpayer Advocate Service. “Know How Getting Married Changes Your Tax Situation.” Accessed Feb. 18, 2020.
- IRS. “Publication 501, Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information.” Pages 5-6. Accessed Feb. 18, 2020.
- IRS. "Publication 501 Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information," Page 9. Accessed Feb. 19, 2020.
- IRS. “Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Registered Domestic Partners and Individuals in Civil Unions.” Accessed Feb. 18, 2020.
Writer Bio
Cam Merritt is a writer and editor specializing in business, personal finance and home design. He has contributed to USA Today, The Des Moines Register and Better Homes and Gardens"publications. Merritt has a journalism degree from Drake University and is pursuing an MBA from the University of Iowa.