Question

Taxpayer aged 70, spouse aged 63, filing married filing separately. The taxpayer earns $23,000.00 in income, while the spouse earns $1,200.00. What is the filing requirement for the spouse based on the information provided?

Answer 1

The spouse aged 63 who earns $1,200 while married filing separately is likely not required to file a tax return as the income is below the standard deduction for that filing status, according to IRS guidelines for 2010. Additional details or changes in tax law may affect this, so consulting current IRS guidelines or a tax professional is recommended.

Step-by-step explanation:

The filing requirement for the spouse who is aged 63 and earning $1,200, while married filing separately, is determined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines. According to the IRS, the standard deduction for someone who is married filing separately is $5,350 for 2010. However, the filing requirement can vary based on factors such as age, income, and marital status. Since the spouse's income ($1,200) is significantly lower than the standard deduction, it is likely that the spouse is not required to file a tax return. However, if there are additional incomes, credits, or other factors to consider, the spouse may be required to file. In general, the IRS requires a return if the individual's gross income is at least as much as the standard deduction for their filing status.

It is also important to note that tax thresholds and deductions often change every year, so one should always consult the latest IRS guidelines or a tax professional for accurate advice for the current tax year.

Answer 2

The spouse in the scenario provided likely does not have a filing requirement, as their income of $1,200.00 is below the standard deduction amount for someone married filing separately.

Step-by-step explanation:

The filing requirement for the spouse in a married couple filing separately depends on a few factors. Since the spouse earns $1,200.00, it is important to note that for the tax year 2010 the Revenue Act of 1942 set the exemption amount at $1,200 for families, which means that historically, amounts at or below this level may not have been subject to federal income tax. However, given that tax adjustment occurs over time and the complexity of tax law, it is best to reference the current tax year's thresholds for filing requirements from official Internal Revenue Service (IRS) resources to determine whether the spouse is required to file a tax return.

According to the IRS for the most recent tax year, if no one can claim the spouse and she chooses to file separately, she must file a tax return if her income is at least the standard deduction for a married filing separately status, which was set at $5 for tax year 2020. Given that the spouse's income is $1,200.00, this is well below the standard deduction amount, suggesting that they may not have a filing requirement unless subject to other specific conditions.