Single vs. Married Withholding: Which Filing Status is Better?
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If you have recently gotten married or are even just thinking about tying the knot, there is a good chance you are not wondering how it will affect your taxes. But it is an important question. Your filing status determines not just how much tax you pay but also how much your employer withholds from your paycheck.
When you start a job, your employer asks you to fill out Form W-4. One of the first questions on that form is about your filing status, whether you are single or married. This choice directly affects the amount of money withheld from each paycheck for taxes.
Single filers usually see more withheld from their pay than married couples who file jointly. That is because the IRS assumes that single individuals do not receive the same tax breaks as married couples.
Couples who file jointly often pay less in taxes and have less withheld from each paycheck, leaving more money in their pocket throughout the year.
Standard Deduction: Quick Win for Couples
The most immediate benefit of choosing “married filing jointly” comes from the standard deduction. In 2024, single filers could deduct $14,600 from their income, while married couples filing jointly could deduct $29,200, which is double the amount. In 2025, the deduction has been raised to $15,000 for singles and $30,000 for couples. This matters because the deduction lowers the amount of income that is actually taxed. The more you can deduct, the less tax you pay.
How the 2025 Tax Brackets Stack Up
For single filers, the seven marginal rates apply as follows — 10% on taxable income up to $11,925; 12% on the slice from $11,926 to $48,475; 22% from $48,476 to $103,350; 24% from $103,351 to $197,300; 32% from $197,301 to $250,525; 35% from $250,526 to $626,350; and 37% on everything above $626,350.
Married couples filing a single joint return get almost double the breathing room at each step. Their income is taxed at 10% up to $23,850; 12% from $23,851 to $96,950; 22% from $96,951 to $206,700; 24% from $206,701 to $394,600; 32% from $394,601 to $501,050; 35% from $501,051 to $751,600; and 37% above $751,600
Do You Get a Bigger Refund When Filing Jointly?
That depends on how accurate your paycheck withholdings were throughout the year. But generally, yes — married couples who file jointly tend to see either a larger refund or a smaller tax bill, especially if one spouse earns significantly more than the other.
That is because filing jointly spreads income across broader tax brackets and qualifies for credits and deductions that are not always available when filing separately. For example, tax credits for dependents, education and retirement savings often offer more value when claimed jointly.
However, there are a few exceptions where filing separately may be smarter, such as when one spouse has major medical bills or other itemized deductions that only matter above a certain income threshold. Still, for most couples, the joint route is the clear winner.
W-4 Changes: Here’s What You Need to Know
The W-4 form got an overhaul in 2020, removing the old system of “withholding allowances.” Now, the form asks for your filing status, income from other jobs and details about dependents.
If you have children under 17, you can reduce your withholding by $2,000 per child. For other dependents, the deduction is $500 each. You will enter those amounts directly on the W-4 form, and your employer will adjust your withholding accordingly.
This new design aims to get you closer to the “just right” amount of tax, so that you do not end up owing a lot in April or giving the government an interest-free loan.
Bottom Line
If you are married and both spouses are earning, check the “Married Filing Jointly” box and consider using the IRS’s online Tax Withholding Estimator to fine-tune your W-4. This way, you can make sure you are not withholding too much or too little.
For most couples, choosing “married filing jointly” typically results in lower taxes, better utilization of deductions and more money in their pockets throughout the year. Tax planning may not be an exciting topic to discuss, but it can make a significant difference to your savings and bank account.