BoxingRaptor t1_jeeg5tq wrote on March 31, 2023 at 12:48 PM

> My husband and I both file - currently are set up to be filing separately due to the amount of income we make together.

Are either of you on some type of income based repayment plan for student loans? If not, then you should probably be filing MFJ.

megarooski3 t1_jeegv0g wrote on March 31, 2023 at 12:53 PM

No, my husband paid off his student loans before we got married, and I was lucky enough to have a scholarship and no student loans.

BoxingRaptor t1_jeehrvx wrote on March 31, 2023 at 1:01 PM

Then you MAY benefit from filing jointly. You could try running the software filing MFJ. You'll probably still come out owing, but it might be SLIGHTLY better. Here, give this a read:

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/mfj.asp

iheartcockss t1_jeexxyv wrote on March 31, 2023 at 2:57 PM

There is no “may” about it, they 100% will come out ahead filing jointly. It’s mathematically impossible for them not too. The only reason to file separate is a pending divorce or student loan repayment reason.