Understanding your calculation
Method, example and limitations
How the calculation works
A marriage comparison contrasts modeled combined tax under the selected filing scenarios. Enter the same household income consistently in both scenarios.
Example to check
If modeled separate taxes total $12,000 and modeled joint tax is $11,500, the difference is a $500 reduction under those assumptions.
Before using the result
Filing eligibility, credits, deductions and state rules can change the outcome. A modeled difference is not a recommendation to use an ineligible filing status.