Best Tax Form for Married People With No Dependents
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Getting married changes the way you manage your finances, including how you file taxes. Many newly married couples wonder whether they should file together or separately, and which forms to use. The answer often depends on your income, deductions and comfort level with shared financial responsibility. But for most couples with no dependents, there is a clear starting point, and it is not as complicated as people fear.
The IRS gives married couples a few filing options, but the most common and generally the most beneficial option is Married Filing Jointly using Form 1040. This approach can reduce your taxable income, open the door to more tax credits and generally simplify the process.
Filing Status That Works for Most Couples
Most newly married couples are encouraged to choose Married Filing Jointly. On a joint return, your incomes are combined and taxed together, which often pushes you into more favorable tax brackets. You also benefit from a higher standard deduction. For the 2025 tax year, couples filing jointly are eligible for a Standard Deduction of $31,500, typically double what it would be if the same couple filed separately.
Filing jointly also means you have access to a wider range of tax credits and deductions. These include education credits, retirement contribution deductions and certain income-related tax breaks that are either reduced or unavailable if you file separately. For couples without dependents, this broader eligibility can make a meaningful difference in the final tax bill or refund amount.
Another practical advantage is one return instead of two. With both incomes, deductions and credits in one place, the paperwork becomes more straightforward, and many tax software platforms are built to guide couples step-by-step through a joint filing.
Form 1040 is the Standard Form You’ll Use
Once you have decided on filing jointly, the form you will typically use is Form 1040 — the standard U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. If you last filed as a single taxpayer, this form will feel familiar, though you will now complete it with your spouse’s information included.
Years ago, simpler versions of this form existed (like the 1040EZ), but the IRS has since streamlined the system. Now, Form 1040 is designed to handle everything from straightforward salaried income to more complex situations like investment income or deductible expenses. If either spouse is age 65 or older, the IRS allows the use of Form 1040-SR, which functions like the standard form but includes larger print and displays the deduction chart directly on the form for ease of reference.
When Filing Separately May Make More Sense
While filing jointly is usually the most tax-friendly option, Married Filing Separately can be beneficial in some specific cases. For example, if one spouse has unusually high medical expenses, which are high enough that they might be deductible only when calculated separately, filing separately may allow that spouse to claim the deduction more effectively.
Another scenario is when one spouse has concerns about tax liability. Filing separately ensures that each spouse is legally responsible only for their tax situation, offering an added layer of financial protection.
Couples with income-driven student loan payments may also benefit from filing separately, as doing so can sometimes reduce the monthly loan payment calculation. However, this decision usually involves trade-offs, and some tax credits are lost when filing separately, so running the numbers both ways is important.
How to Prepare Before You File
Whether you are filing jointly or separately, start by gathering the necessary documents — your W-2s or 1099s, Social Security numbers, student loan interest statements, retirement account statements and records of any deductible expenses. Tax software can help guide decision-making by comparing filing scenarios and suggesting deductions and credits you may be eligible for.
Bottom Line
For most couples with no dependents, Married Filing Jointly using Form 1040 offers the most straightforward and beneficial approach, thanks to a higher standard deduction, lower tax rates and greater access to credits. But every financial situation is different. Therefore, it is worth comparing your options before submitting your return. A small amount of planning now can help you keep more money in your pocket later.