Question: I think I screwed up a couple of years ago by filing husband as HOH, rather than MFJ.
Would it seriously make a difference in our filing? If yes, how so?
Thank you!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bobbysangelwife,

Yes it would make a difference, how large depends on your taxable income.
How many years ago was this, (please say less than three)

quote:

Originally posted by bobbysangelwife:
Question: I think I screwed up a couple of years ago by filing husband as HOH, rather than MFJ.
Would it seriously make a difference in our filing? If yes, how so?
Thank you!

Don't sweat it Jen, just wait until the IRS comes calling, THAT'S when you should begin to worry....hon!

JOHN!! lol....that's not even funny!!


Eriol---specifics. How would filing HOH make things different? I know the deductions are different, but I'm wondering how that makes a difference in the outcome--as in more or less of refund. The refund we received was VERY substantial that year.
The tax season in question is 2005 season, filed in 2006. There is a partial deployment in consideration on W2.

I've been doing taxes myself for years now, I'm really embarrassed to say that I checked the wrong box even. grr..

quote:

Originally posted by bobbysangelwife:
JOHN!! lol....that's not even funny!!


Eriol---specifics. How would filing HOH make things different? I know the deductions are different, but I'm wondering how that makes a difference in the outcome--as in more or less of refund. The refund we received was VERY substantial that year.
The tax season in question is 2005 season, filed in 2006. There is a partial deployment in consideration on W2.

I've been doing taxes myself for years now, I'm really embarrassed to say that I checked the wrong box even. grr..

It wasn't meant to be funny Jen, I was merely pointing out the honest truth.

quote:

Originally posted by bobbysangelwife:
JOHN!! lol....that's not even funny!!


Eriol---specifics. How would filing HOH make things different? I know the deductions are different, but I'm wondering how that makes a difference in the outcome--as in more or less of refund. The refund we received was VERY substantial that year.
The tax season in question is 2005 season, filed in 2006. There is a partial deployment in consideration on W2.

I've been doing taxes myself for years now, I'm really embarrassed to say that I checked the wrong box even. grr..

If it was file HOH and you where listed as spouse, I am surprised that the IRS system did not flag it and send you a correction. That is what they do on math errors.

quote:

Originally posted by usmcvet:

quote:

Originally posted by bobbysangelwife:
JOHN!! lol....that's not even funny!!


Eriol---specifics. How would filing HOH make things different? I know the deductions are different, but I'm wondering how that makes a difference in the outcome--as in more or less of refund. The refund we received was VERY substantial that year.
The tax season in question is 2005 season, filed in 2006. There is a partial deployment in consideration on W2.

I've been doing taxes myself for years now, I'm really embarrassed to say that I checked the wrong box even. grr..

It wasn't meant to be funny Jen, I was merely pointing out the honest truth.

I don't wanna wait, I just want it corrected silly.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave_M:

quote:

Originally posted by bobbysangelwife:
JOHN!! lol....that's not even funny!!


Eriol---specifics. How would filing HOH make things different? I know the deductions are different, but I'm wondering how that makes a difference in the outcome--as in more or less of refund. The refund we received was VERY substantial that year.
The tax season in question is 2005 season, filed in 2006. There is a partial deployment in consideration on W2.

I've been doing taxes myself for years now, I'm really embarrassed to say that I checked the wrong box even. grr..

If it was file HOH and you where listed as spouse, I am surprised that the IRS system did not flag it and send you a correction. That is what they do on math errors.

Frankly, I can't believe that I missed that while doing the danged things. Loved the results, but I simply can't figure out for the life of me WHY I would check that box! lol....it's so stupid!! ACK!

quote:

Originally posted by bobbysangelwife:

Frankly, I can't believe that I missed that while doing the danged things. Loved the results, but I simply can't figure out for the life of me WHY I would check that box! lol....it's so stupid!! ACK!

Since you loved the results, live with it and worry about it later if necessary. Jeez.

quote:

Originally posted by usmcvet:

quote:

Originally posted by bobbysangelwife:

Frankly, I can't believe that I missed that while doing the danged things. Loved the results, but I simply can't figure out for the life of me WHY I would check that box! lol....it's so stupid!! ACK!

Since you loved the results, live with it and worry about it later if necessary. Jeez.

That's just it--I don't want to deal with this later. If it causes an adverse action towards us, I'd rather deal with it sooner rather than later. That could come back to bite me in the butt. ouch.

Did you use software to do you taxes? Either way re figure you taxes and determine the difference. Then if more than a small amount, file an amended return.

quote:

Originally posted by bobbysangelwife:


That's just it--I don't want to deal with this later. If it causes an adverse action towards us, I'd rather deal with it sooner rather than later. That could come back to bite me in the butt. ouch.

Hey, back in 1980, the IRS "contacted" me and told me that I owed them back taxes (in the thousands of dollars) from 1975. After going to two different IRS offices and attempting to "dispute" their allegations several times, I settled with them to pay even a lower amount than I "allegedly" owed them.
Piece 'o cake.

What the worse thing can they do to you, make you pay what may be owed, plus a small penalty and interest? Think of the IRS as a Federal Credit Card company; you'll sleep better at night.

You worry way too much, Jennifer. Take it light!

quote:

Originally posted by Dave_M:
Did you use software to do you taxes? Either way re figure you taxes and determine the difference. Then if more than a small amount, file an amended return.

Naw, I use TurboTax online. I don't know if I'm just not getting what they're asking me in the final parts or what. My gosh, I may actually have to have someone do it for me!!

quote:

Originally posted by usmcvet:

quote:

Originally posted by bobbysangelwife:


That's just it--I don't want to deal with this later. If it causes an adverse action towards us, I'd rather deal with it sooner rather than later. That could come back to bite me in the butt. ouch.

Hey, back in 1980, the IRS "contacted" me and told me that I owed them back taxes (in the thousands of dollars) from 1975. After going to two different IRS offices and attempting to "dispute" their allegations several times, I settled with them to pay even a lower amount than I "allegedly" owed them.
Piece 'o cake.

What the worse thing can they do to you, make you pay what may be owed, plus a small penalty and interest? Think of the IRS as a Federal Credit Card company; you'll sleep better at night.

You worry way too much, Jennifer. Take it light!

Thanks John. I seem to recall having to deal with these folks once before a long time ago. Some kind of error with a SS# of a child, they say we owed, etc. Was kinda nuts--had to go back a couple of times to deal with it.

Eh, I can say that I won't worry about it, but in the end it passes thru my head about once every couple of weeks or so.

quote:

Originally posted by bobbysangelwife:

Thanks John. I seem to recall having to deal with these folks once before a long time ago. Some kind of error with a SS# of a child, they say we owed, etc. Was kinda nuts--had to go back a couple of times to deal with it.

Eh, I can say that I won't worry about it, but in the end it passes thru my head about once every couple of weeks or so.

That's what I'm here for.

What year or years is this for - I have a free program for the last 3 or 4 years and I can get it to you via an FTP server this week. You can then do the taxes both ways and decide the damage.

MFJ would generally be better than HOH for two big reasons
1) The standard deduction for HOH is 7,850 whereas the standard deduction for MFJ is 10,700. Not relevant if you itemized.

2) The tax rates are better.
in HOH about the first 10K is taked at 10% about the next 20K is taxed at 15% and so on

in MFJ about the first 15K is taxed at the 10% rate and the next 45K is taxed at the 15%

and dont worry it wont cause a adverse action since most likely an amended return will benefit you; the IRS is probably hoping you dont notice.

Thanks Dave---this would be for 2006. Which is another reason why I can't believe I made this error. We'd been married for almost 2 years, I'd done our taxes for 2 years already...lol....dumb error! ugh. This is what honesty does to me....lol...I know that correcting it is the right thing to do, it's ingrained in my being, I can't not correct it. My brain and heart won't allow it. That would be fantastic if you could get that for me so I can go over it and fix this, thank you.

Thank you for putting that on here Eriol. I believe in 2006 the figures for deductions were a couple hundred less, but I get the drift. Hell, I don't even think that our AGI was even in the 10% rate! I think our taxable income was only at 10K due to partial deployment income and reenlistment bonus....whatever it was, it was really low.

Jen,

I told you not to worry!

your welcome,
BTW, look at your return if you had zero tax liability (before you take the child tax credits, if you have children), then it wouldnt matter since a zero liability is a zero liability and I would ignore it.