Tax Filing Status

• If you have not yet filed your state or federal taxes, you may want to choose the tax filing states of married filing separately instead of married filing jointly. Doing so allows you to separate your spouse's tax liabilities from yours. You should be aware that married filing separately may push you into a higher tax bracket because the income thresholds are lower than those of married filing jointly. For example, in 2011 the income cutoff for the 10 percent tax bracket is $17,000 for married filing jointly and $8,500 for married filing separately.