Taxes: Single vs. Married (2026 Update)

Choosing whether to file as single or married can change your tax outcome more than many people realize. The difference affects everything from your tax brackets to your eligibility for certain deductions and credits, and it can shift your overall tax liability by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Because life events like marriage, divorce or the loss of a spouse can instantly alter your filing status, understanding how these rules work is essential to avoiding surprises when tax season arrives.

Planning your family’s finances goes beyond just taxes. Find a financial advisor and see how they can potentially help.

How Marriage Affects Tax Credits and Deductions

When you get married, your eligibility for certain tax credits and deductions can change. Filing a joint return may increase the income limits for some benefits, while filing separately can reduce or even eliminate eligibility for others. The choice between joint and separate filing directly affects how much you can claim.

One key example is the child tax credit. Married couples filing jointly can claim up to the full credit amount if their combined income falls below the phaseout limit. This makes joint filing the better option for many families who want to maximize the credit.

The earned income tax credit (EITC) also changes with marital status. Married couples who file jointly may qualify for a higher income threshold compared with single filers. Those who file separately are generally ineligible for the credit, but there is an exception: if you are legally separated or living apart from your spouse for the last six months of the year and you have a qualifying child, you may still claim the credit.

Education-related credits, such as the American opportunity tax credit (AOTC) and lifetime learning credit, follow similar rules. Married couples must file jointly to claim these benefits. Filing separately excludes both spouses from claiming them, regardless of tuition costs or other qualifying expenses.

Other deductions, like those for IRA contributions, also have income phaseouts that shift when filing as married. Combining incomes may push couples over certain thresholds, limiting or eliminating the deduction. For some households, this can create what is known as a “marriage penalty,” while others may benefit from higher joint income limits.

Single vs. Married: Filing Options

After marriage, you and your spouse must coordinate your W-4 forms to avoid under-withholding.

Before talking about the impact of your tax filing status, let’s consider the IRS definitions for when you can use the single vs. married filing statuses. To use the single filing status, you need to be unmarried, legally separated and/or divorced on the last day of the tax year (December 31). To qualify as married in the eyes of the IRS you need to get legally married on or before the last day of the tax year.

If you can legally file as married, then you must. Married individuals cannot file as single or as the head of a household. Keep in mind that the requirements are the same for same-sex marriages. If you were legally married by a state or foreign government, the IRS will expect you to file as married.

Married couples have two choices for filing their taxes. Married filing separately will allow you and your spouse to file separate returns. This works very similarly to filing single. On the other hand, married filing jointly should be your status choice if you and your spouse both want to file your incomes on one return. Filing only one return could save you time and money. Choosing one status over the other will result in different limits for tax brackets, deductions and credits.

How the Filing Process Changes From Single to Married

The clearest example of how your taxes will change after marriage is in the income tax brackets. The tables below show the tax brackets for the 2025 tax year (what you file in 2026). You’ll notice that if you choose to file a joint return, the minimum and maximum incomes will change for each tax bracket.

In some cases, married couples will find themselves in a lower tax bracket now that they are combining incomes. At the same time, married individuals who file separately will pay income taxes according to the same brackets as single filers.

Federal Income Tax Brackets for 2025 (filed by April 15, 2026)

Rate	Single	Married Filing Jointly	Married Filing Separately	Head of Household
10%	$0 – $11,925	$0 – $23,850	$0 – $11,925	$0 – $17,000
12%	$11,926 – $48,475	$23,851 – $96,950	$11,926 – $48,475	$17,001 – $64,850
22%	$48,476 – $103,350	$96,951 – $206,700	$48,476 – $103,350	$64,851 – $103,350
24%	$103,351 – $197,300	$206,701 – $394,600	$103,351 – $197,300	$103,351 – $197,300
32%	$197,301 – $250,525	$394,601 – $501,050	$197,301 – $250,525	$197,301 – $250,500
35%	$250,526 – $626,350	$501,051 – $751,600	$250,526 – $375,800	$250,501 – $626,350
37%	$626,351+	$751,601+	$375,801+	$626,351+

Outside of income taxes, filing a joint return will change limits for other deductions. For example, the standard deduction for the 2025 tax year is $15,000 for single filers, up from $14,600 in 2024 The deduction for taxpayers who are married and file jointly for the 2025 tax year is $30,000, up from $29,200 in 2024.

In this case, the standard deduction is doubled for joint filers. That isn’t always the case though. As another example, single filers can deduct up to $3,000 of capital gains losses from income. A married couple filing jointly can only deduct $3,000 total (not $3,000 each). A married couple filing separately can only deduct $1,500 in capital losses from their incomes, each.

Check Your Withholding Information

Reviewing your tax withholding is important whether you file as single or married, because your filing status directly affects how much federal income tax is taken out of each paycheck. If you’ve recently married, divorced or experienced another major life change, your current withholding may no longer align with your new situation. That mismatch can lead to surprises at tax time, including a larger-than-expected bill or a refund that signals you overpaid throughout the year.

Updating your Form W-4 can help ensure your withholding reflects the tax brackets and credits associated with your filing status. Married couples, for example, may need to account for dual incomes or decide whether to adjust withholding to avoid underpayment when both spouses earn. Single filers may also need to revisit their W-4 if they take on a second job or see significant income changes. Taking a few minutes to update your withholding now can make it easier to manage your cash flow and avoid penalties later.

The IRS withholding calculator is a helpful tool for determining whether your current setup is still accurate. It considers factors like income, deductions, credits and filing status so you can fine-tune your approach. If you’re unsure how to complete the form or how different scenarios might affect your taxes, a financial advisor or tax professional can provide personalized guidance that fits your long-term financial plan.

Bottom Line

Your filing status plays a central role in how much you owe or receive at tax time, and the rules can shift quickly as your life changes. Whether you file as single or married, understanding how each status affects your brackets, deductions and withholding can help you better manage your cash flow and long-term financial goals. Taking time to review your situation each year, and after any major life event, can prevent surprises and keep your tax strategy on track. If you’re unsure which approach makes the most sense, a financial advisor can help you evaluate your options and create a plan that supports your broader financial picture.

Tips for Maximizing Your Tax Savings

A financial advisor can help you invest your tax refund based on your goals and risk tolerance. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
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