***TAX FILING INFORMATION***

[SeattleGirl]

Hi all. Just got back from filing my taxes, and got a rude awakening. In Washington State, you cannot electronically file your taxes if you are married filing separately UNLESS YOUR SPOUSE IS IN THE MILITARY! Your ONLY CHOICE is to submit your tax return via snail mail.

MrSG and I have always filed separately. I've figured our taxes jointly and separately, and there's very little difference in the amounts. We started doing separate filings when MrSG was having some financial problems years ago, and since we don't own a home, and our daughter is grown, and there's not much difference in the amounts of refund, as I said, we just kept doing it.

MrSG already turned in his taxes. Today, I went to have mine done, because I cashed out my 401k and wanted to make sure it was done right. When the tax preparer went to submit the return, the system said that I could not electronically file as "married filing separately" because Washington is a community property state, UNLESS MrSG WAS IN THE MILITARY.

This totally and completely pissed me off!!!! What the hell is this? Another way to force people into the military? A way to punish people who are married but choose to file separately? GRRRRRR!

Anyway, most of you may have already done your taxes, but I wanted to let you know, in case you haven't, or will file separately next year.

[flamingyouth]

1. I found that out the year my husband died.

You also can't file electronically when one spouse is deceased, just to make things even more complicated for the widow/er. I already had to get two extensions that year anyway, due to settling the estate.

But that does seem odd; I have no idea why they would do that. I'm sure they have the military exemption because one partner might be deployed overseas, but why not just let everyone file electronically? :shrug:

Seems like a hassle to me. :hi: