Married Filing Separate – Itemized or Standard Deduction
Per IRS Publication 504, if one spouse itemizes deductions on a Married Filing Separately return, the other spouse cannot claim the standard deduction.To indicate that your spouse filed MFS and itemized deductions on their return, follow the steps below.
Online
Dashboards
- From within your TaxAct return, click About.
- On smaller devices, click the menu at the top left corner of your screen, then make your selection.
- Beside your name, click Edit.
- Continue through the interview till you get to the What best describes your relationship status? screen.
- Make sure that your filing status is marked as Married with the question Will you file this return with your spouse? marked No.
- Click Continue and Continue again.
- In the Spouse section, click Edit.
- Check the box My spouse itemized deductions on their separate return.
- Click Continue.
Classic Navigation
- From within your TaxAct return, click Basic Info.
- On smaller devices, click the menu at the top left corner of your screen, then make your selection.
- Click Edit beside Marital Status.
- Make sure that Married is selected, with the question Will you file this return with your spouse? marked No. Click Continue.
- Check the box My spouse itemized deductions on their separate return, and click Continue.
Desktop
- From within your TaxAct return, click Basic Info.
- Click the Filing Status tab.
- Ensure that Married filing separately is marked and click Continue.
- Check the box My spouse itemizes deductions on his or her separate return and click Continue.
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