W-2 lists single, but I got married @ end of the year. Can I still claim single this year?

I got married @ the end of the year. I haven't changed my w-4 @ work and my w-2's state "single". Do I have to file married or can I still claim single since that's how I paid my taxes all year? The only info I change were my social security card, driver's license and bank info. I was divorced with kids and claiming HOH, which is a bigger refund. For this year, do I claim single or married?

W-2 lists single, but I got married @ end of the year. Can I still claim single this year?
You can file as either married joint return or married separate return. Read the 1040 instructions to determine how to file. HOH is typically not as good as married joint. It depends.





The W-2 is used to estimate withholding during the year, it does not have to match your filing status. You will pay a penalty if you do not withhold at least 90% of the income taxes you owe for the year. On the other hand, you don't want to give the government a free loan by withholding too much. It is common to withhold more to get a refund instead of paying additional taxes. If you were filing as HOH and your W-2 used Single then you probably withheld more than necessary and got a bigger refund.
Reply:The key date of the year is Dec 31st. What is your martial status as of Dec 31st? You were married as of that date, right? Then you would file as "Married Filing Jointly" the best option or "Married Filing Separately" which is the least desirable filing status to use.
Reply:You can keep claiming single if you want. I do. They'll take out more money throughout the year, then you get more money back when you file. You will file as married though, to get that money back.
Reply:Your W-2 just reflect the rate used for withholding. You do not have to use that on your tax return. If you were married on Dec 31, you should file a joint return -- that will usually be the best rate. Your only other option is married filing separate.
Reply:What is your status on Dec 31st? If you were married all yr and got divorced on Dec 28th...your single.





Married is better than single or HOH.
Reply:What you have on your W4 is irrelevant.





If you were legally married on 12/31/2007, you must file "Married-Filing Jointly" or "Married-Filing Separately" for 2007. Jointly is usually better.
Reply:No you can't file your tax return as single, although leaving your W-4 that way isn't a problem. If you were married as of 12/31/07, your choices are a joint return or else married filing separately. A joint return will probably save the two of you taxes overall over your only other legal option, filing as married filing separately.
Reply:If you got married in 2007 then you can claim married. I've been married for 8.5 years and I still claim 'single' on my W-2 because I want a higher withhold and my husband has his W-2 as married. That allows us to always get something back and not pay in.





When I got married in '99, I married in August and when I filed taxes in 2000 I filed as married.
Reply:Single
Reply:You can still claim single.

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