Can partners file taxes jointly?

In most cases, the IRS requires couples to be legally married to file a joint tax return. However, the IRS also allows couples who are not legally married but are considered married at common law to file jointly as well.

Can an unmarried couple file a joint tax return?

Additionally, joint filers are eligible to take a standard deduction that is double that of a single taxpayer. But since the IRS only allows a couple to file a joint tax return if the state they live in recognizes the relationship as a legal marriage; unmarried couples are never eligible to file a joint return.

How many states allow same-sex marriage?

50 states
2015 – The US Supreme Court makes same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states in Obergefell v. Hodges.

Does Ohio recognize domestic partnerships?

A partnership is a legally recognized union of an unmarried couple living together. In Ohio, domestic partnerships are not recognized under state law, but they are recognized in certain local jurisdictions. …

Can a same-sex couple file a joint federal tax return?

If you are married under state law, your marriage is recognized under federal law for tax filing purposes. This applies even if you are a resident of a state that does not recognize your marriage. In this case, you can file a joint federal tax return and a single filing status state tax return.

Can a Virginia couple file a joint tax return?

The Virginia couple has never been able to file a joint return at the federal or state level, but because the IRS has adopted a "state of celebration" standard, they can now file a joint federal return as long as they have a marriage certificate issued by another state that recognizes same-sex marriage.

Federal laws come into play when you file your state tax returns. Most states base their joint return calculations on the numbers from your joint federal return. This means that while married couples only need to file two tax returns — one for federal and one for state — generally, unmarried domestic partners must file a total of four tax returns.

The same two basic options are available to them. A couple can combine all their income and their deductions on one joint tax return. It is administratively simple to use the married filing status jointly. You only have to prepare one tax return instead of two.