Filing Taxes as Newlyweds: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something About a W-2
The wedding is over, and the dress is packed away. You’re probably at work daydreaming about how fabulous your honeymoon was… but now you’ve got a to-do list of name changes, financial planning, and other new marriage chores.
These newlywed tasks aren’t exactly the most exciting part of your new life with your spouse. But thinking proactively about these big changes will make things easier in the long run. This is especially true regarding financial planning and preparing for your first year of filing taxes as newlyweds!
Tax considerations for newly married couples
One big thing newlyweds often overlook is coming up with a plan to file their taxes. Especially given the squeeze many couples feel after the expenses of planning a wedding ceremony, newlyweds will want to make sure that their refund for the year is as generous as possible. “Newlywed couples should take this opportunity to do a full financial review,” says Riki Cooke, CFP® of 2Point0 Financial. “This can be an opportunity for couples to ask questions about their income, benefits, outside investment accounts, etc.” There’s no sense in leaving money on the table as you and your partner begin your new lives together. Here are several ways you can ensure your taxes are in order before, during, and after your wedding!
Filing jointly vs. separately
The biggest question you and your spouse will need to answer is whether filing jointly or separately is more beneficial. Filing jointly allows you to take advantage of joint standard deductions: $30,000 compared to the individual standard of $15,000 for 2025 (IRS). “From a technical perspective, it usually makes sense for married folks to file their taxes jointly,” Cooke explains. “However, if there are federal student loans, there may be an opportunity to save substantially by filing separately.” Increasing your earned income tax credit, as well as child dependent care credit, are contingent on filing jointly. Additionally, if you get your healthcare through the Affordable Care Act, your newlywed status may affect your tax credit.
But on the other hand, there can be some drawbacks to filing jointly. If your combined income pushes you and your spouse into a higher tax bracket, it may be worth filing separately to lower your tax obligation. Additionally, if you or your partner have student loans on an Income-Based Repayment plan, you may lose this status if you file jointly, which can considerably increase monthly payments.
When filing separately makes sense
You may also wish to file separately if your partner owes a large amount of back taxes or debt, for obvious reasons. But if significant debt from one partner is a concern and you still wish to file jointly, be sure to file a form 8379. This can fix some of the potential issues by calculating how much of your joint return you both should receive, and how much should go to paying off debt. This is a good way to have the IRS make a decision that could involve an awkward conversation.
Without making too many assumptions: for couples with approximately the same income going into the wedding, it’s usually better to wait till you have children to consider filing jointly. However, everyone’s tax situation is unique, and we recommend newlyweds calculate and compare their returns both as an individual and as a couple to be on the safe side. You can easily go into any tax software program and test both joint and separate filings to see which option comes out with a bigger refund.
Talking to your employers
With your filing status sorted out, it’s worth examining your employer’s retirement plans to see if they’re favorable to married couples. “One thing some couples may overlook is the spousal IRA contribution,” notes Carman Kubanda, CFP® ChFC® of Innovative Wealth Building. “Even if one spouse does not work, they are still able to contribute based on the earnings of the working spouse. That is an additional $7,000/year of either tax-deferred or tax-free growth towards retirement and can make a big impact over time on the couple’s financial plan.” A non-working spouse can make a deductible contribution of up to $7,000 as well (IRS), a fantastic benefit as far as retirement is concerned.
It’s also worth re-checking your withholding status. Consider refiling your W-4 with your spouse to see how many allowances and withholdings are appropriate, and if you both work, how many you should each take on. “You may need to adjust your withholding or make estimated tax payments after you get married, especially if both of you work,” says Jason R. McWilliams, CPA, CFP®. “You can use the IRS Withholding Estimator to help determine the right amount of tax to withhold from your paychecks.”
Avoiding Tax Surprises
While adjusting withholdings is a great step, some couples—especially those who are self-employed, have freelance income, or multiple income streams—may need to make estimated tax payments throughout the year.
“If you expect to owe more than $1,000 in taxes at the end of the year, you may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments,” says Anika Jindal, CPA of What Anika Says. “This helps avoid penalties and ensures you’re not caught off guard when tax season rolls around.”
To estimate how much you should be setting aside, use the IRS Withholding Estimator or consult a tax professional. Making these payments on time (April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15) will keep you in good standing and prevent a hefty tax bill.
Other considerations
If your home is sold as a result of combining two households, you may be able to exclude some, or even all, of this gain on your taxes. “If you sell your home, you may qualify for a larger exclusion of the gain from your income,” says David Berns of Truadvice Wealth Management. “As a married couple filing jointly, you can exclude up to $500,000 of the profit from the sale of your main home, as long as one of you owned the home and both of you lived in it for at least two of the last five years.”
With all that complexity out of the way, here’s a simple fact before we conclude: no matter when in a tax year you are married, you may file jointly for that year. If the wedding is on December 31, the government will still consider you a couple for the entirety of the year if you choose to file as such.
Whatever decisions you choose to make after you’re married, make sure they’re double-checked carefully to ensure accuracy and the best possible net return. Nothing can ruin a honeymoon quite like refiling or dealing with an audit.
Changing your surname
And finally, an easy question: how does the IRS handle a change in last name? Well, it doesn’t matter if you’ve taken your partner’s name or vice versa. Maybe you’ve decided to not change your last name at all! As long as the name on your return matches up with what the Social Security Office has on file, you’re good to go.
To make sure they have your new name, and that your new name is on your social security card, just file a form SS-5 onSSA.gov or visit a local office. While you’re at it, if you’re moving to a new home, it’s worth changing your address with USPS, the IRS, and your employer to make sure you don’t miss any important documents that come your way.
Filing Your First Taxes as Newlyweds
Dealing with taxes is no one’s favorite thing to do, especially after the excitement of a wedding. But the devil’s in the details. With these sorted out, you and your partner can be well on your way to a happy and financially secure life together.
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