How Divorce May Affect Your Tax Filing Status

April 15, the tax filing deadline, is quickly approaching. You’re newly divorced – or in the process of becoming so – and ready to file your individual tax return. Not so fast. There are a few things to remember about divorce and your tax filing status.

For tax filing purposes, if your divorce was not finalized prior to year-end, you are still considered married for the year in the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service, even if you and your spouse were living separately. As a result, your filing status for the year is married; you have the possibility of three options for filing your 2015 income taxes: married filing jointly, married filing separately or, possibly, filing as head of household. Read “What to know when filing taxes and getting divorced” for more information.