What Do We Claim?

[Unregistered]

Hi Tom,

I have an in home daycare. My husband and I split up for 4.5 months in 2012. He lived with his parents and I stayed at the home where I have my childcare business.

We reconciled our differences and did not go through with our planned divorce and moved back in together back in October. We also have 3 children together.

Do we need to file separate or together. What is the correct thing to do here?

Thanks so much

[TomCopeland]

Claiming expenses

You file your taxes based on your martial status at the end of 2012. Since you were married, you can file as "married filing jointly" or "married filing separate". You are almost always going to be better off if you file jointly.

[daycare]

You file your taxes based on your martial status at the end of 2012. Since you were married, you can file as "married filing jointly" or "married filing separate". You are almost always going to be better off if you file jointly.

Tom in 2011 my husband and I split up for 6 months, but were still legally married.... we got back together before the years end.

When I filled my taxes for 2011 the CPA that prepared them had me file separate because we were in two different house holds.

so did I file incorrectly? what should I do?

[TomCopeland]

filing separate?

You are still eligible to file jointly even though you don't live together. There may be reasons to file separately in your situation. Ask your tax preparer how your taxes would be different if you filed jointly. If filing jointly is more beneficial you can amend your return.