re: Question about filing taxes married-first time

Did this start on another board?

OP... The deductions you "claim" on payroll are simply a math calculation to determine how much federal and state (if you live in a state that has state income tax) tax withholding occurs on each paycheck.

When you file your tax return, you report all of your income, and allowable deductions. You calculate the total tax owed. You apply your income tax withholding to that amount, along with any other credits / payments, and you end up with a refund (you paid/credit too much) or balance due (you paid/credit not enough).

Because of the way the tax withholding system is structured, if you claim married instead of single on Form W-4, you will have less withheld, and the more dependents you claim on W-4, the less you will have withheld.

If you file married separate, then what you do has nothing to to with what you do... except if you are in a community property state and don't have a separate proprety agreement... then everything is split 50/50.