--- title: "Eight is Enough: Tips for Choosing Your Filing Status" description: The IRS provides five different tax statuses for individuals to choose from when preparing their income tax returns. The key to choosing the best tax image: https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/hs-fs/file-250105148-jpg/images/pointinghand-resized-600.jpg --- [(866)866-1555](tel:866-866-1555) | [Contact](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/contact-us) [![Top Tax Defenders](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/nov_15/ttd_logo_test_new.png?width=314&height=64&name=ttd_logo_test_new.png "Top Tax Defenders")](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com) # Tax Matters - The Top Tax Defenders Blog # Eight is Enough: Tips for Choosing Your Filing Status By Top Tax Staff | Apr 3, 2012 6:00:00 AM | [Tax Tips and Help](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-tips-and-help) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F132458%2Feight-is-enough-tips-for-choosing-your-filing-status%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F132458%2Feight-is-enough-tips-for-choosing-your-filing-status%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F132458%2Feight-is-enough-tips-for-choosing-your-filing-status%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F132458%2Feight-is-enough-tips-for-choosing-your-filing-status%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Eight%20is%20Enough%3A%20Tips%20for%20Choosing%20Your%20Filing%20Status) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F132458%2Feight-is-enough-tips-for-choosing-your-filing-status%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F132458%2Feight-is-enough-tips-for-choosing-your-filing-status%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F132458%2Feight-is-enough-tips-for-choosing-your-filing-status%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ![How to Qualify for Temporarily Uncollectible Status with IRS](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/hs-fs/hubfs/How%20to%20Qualify%20for%20Temporarily%20Uncollectible%20Status%20with%20IRS.jpg?width=999&name=How%20to%20Qualify%20for%20Temporarily%20Uncollectible%20Status%20with%20IRS.jpg) The IRS provides five different tax statuses for individuals to choose from when preparing their income tax returns. The key to choosing the best tax filing status for you is learning about the rules and regulations that apply to each status. Here are eight tips for picking your tax filing status. [![DID YOU RECEIVE AN IRS AUDIT NOTICE? DOWNLOAD OUR FREE GUIDE ON FIGHTING AN IRS AUDIT >>](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/139062/7b6035f5-162a-44ad-8fb1-35e7a2cd3f78.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/139062/7b6035f5-162a-44ad-8fb1-35e7a2cd3f78) **1. Marital Status** - The IRS uses your marital status on the last day of the tax year to determine your status for the entire year. For example, if you get married on December 31, the agency will consider you to have been married for the whole year. **2. Biggest Tax Benefit** - If you qualify for more than one filing status, it's always best to choose the status that gives you the biggest tax advantage. As an example, couples who qualify to file joint returns or separate returns may find that it's best for them to file together. **3. Who Qualifies as Single** - According to the IRS, those that are unmarried, separated, or divorced qualify to file using the "Single" status. **4. Joint Returns** - Couples who choose to file jointly can use the "Married Filing Jointly" status on their returns. Generally, those that claim that status pay significantly less tax than those than file separately. Joint filing couples also qualify for additional tax breaks, credits, and deductions that those who file separately do not. **5. Recently Widowed Taxpayers** - If you lose a spouse during the tax year, the IRS gives you the option to file a joint return with your deceased spouse for the year of his or her death. This provision does not apply to those who remarry during that same year. ### [![DO YOU NEED IRS TAX HELP? SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION WITH OUR TAX EXPERTS »](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/139062/758dc20d-7fa2-4e2a-a2ae-b124ff4cd561.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/139062/758dc20d-7fa2-4e2a-a2ae-b124ff4cd561)   **6. Separate Returns** - If a couple elects not to file a joint tax return, each individual must use the "Married Filing Separately" status on his or her forms. **7. Head of Household** - The "Head of Household" status is reserved for those who are unmarried and have a dependent child under the age of 17. If you're eligible to claim this status, you'll receive a larger standard deduction than if you simply claimed your dependent and used the "Single" filing status. **8. Qualifying Widow or Widower** - For two years after the year in which a spouse dies, widows and widowers can use the "Qualifying Widow/er" status to receive a larger standard deduction than they would receive by claiming "Single". Navigating the IRS tax code can be overwhelming initially. By taking advantage of these eight tips for picking your tax filing status and talking with a [tax help ](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/)professional about any questions can help you become familiar with the options you have right away.   [![guide-download-banner](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/139062/e3319570-b963-4136-8a66-f729e4843b7b.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/139062/e3319570-b963-4136-8a66-f729e4843b7b) COMMENTS ### SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL ### POSTS BY TOPIC - [Tax Tips and Help (287)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-tips-and-help) - [IRS Collections (121)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/irs-collections) - [IRS Audit (72)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/irs-audit) - [Tax Credits and Deductions (69)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-credits-and-deductions) - [Tax Resolution (62)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-resolution) - [Business Taxes (53)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/business-taxes) - [Back Taxes (51)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/back-taxes) - [Wage Garnishment (22)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/wage-garnishment) - [Tax Levies (19)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-levies) - [IRS Payment Plans (15)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/irs-payment-plans) - [Tax Liens (14)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-liens) - [Offer in Compromise (9)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/offer-in-compromise) - [Unfiled Tax Returns (9)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/unfiled-tax-returns) - [IRS Tax Attorneys (7)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/irs-tax-attorneys) - [Asset Seizure (6)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/asset-seizure) - [Tax Evasion (6)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-evasion) - [Criminal Tax Defense (4)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/criminal-tax-defense) - [Innocent Spouse Relief (4)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/innocent-spouse-relief) [see all](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/bid/132458/eight-is-enough-tips-for-choosing-your-filing-status#) ### RECENT ARTICLES ### POPULAR ARTICLES Aenean sollicitudin, lorem quis bibendum auctor, nisi elit consequat ipsum. 11222 Richmond Avenue Suite 235, Houston, TX 77082 Copyright 2026 Top Tax Defenders. 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