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Re: IRS Filing status - civil union? domestic partner? Other?
#1
Newbie
Newbie


Quote:

WhoElseCouldIBe wrote:
Quote:

cajtax wrote:
Quote:

Erica wrote:
@neverleft - I didn't mean to jump on you. I agree that it's an interesting article (and that the different treatment at the federal and state level for the purpose of taxes is another reason why civil unions are not as good as marriage for same-sex couples).

I just worry that the original poster is being told to file as "Married" when s/he's not and didn't want that issue to get lost.

I still don't understand @cajtax's advice. I though the only people who could file as Married/CU Couple in the state of NJ are people who are legally married or legally part of a civil union (civilly united?).

Is it really legal to file as married in NJ when you aren't legally married?


My mistake... civil unions are for gay couples only in New Jersey. There's no such thing as a civil union in New Jersey for opposite sex couples.

http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/civilunion_apply.shtml

So, if you are an opposite sex couple and not legally married, you still have to file as single at the state level as well.


www.cajtaxsolutions.com


That's discriminatory against opposite sex couples who want to form a civil union in NJ.


I didn't make the law, nor am I going to offer my opinion or interpretation of it here. It is what it is.

www.cajtaxsolutions.com

Posted on: 2012/2/15 2:16
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Re: IRS Filing status - civil union? domestic partner? Other?
#2
Newbie
Newbie


Quote:

Erica wrote:
@neverleft - I didn't mean to jump on you. I agree that it's an interesting article (and that the different treatment at the federal and state level for the purpose of taxes is another reason why civil unions are not as good as marriage for same-sex couples).

I just worry that the original poster is being told to file as "Married" when s/he's not and didn't want that issue to get lost.

I still don't understand @cajtax's advice. I though the only people who could file as Married/CU Couple in the state of NJ are people who are legally married or legally part of a civil union (civilly united?).

Is it really legal to file as married in NJ when you aren't legally married?


My mistake... civil unions are for gay couples only in New Jersey. There's no such thing as a civil union in New Jersey for opposite sex couples.

http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/civilunion_apply.shtml

So, if you are an opposite sex couple and not legally married, you still have to file as single at the state level as well.


www.cajtaxsolutions.com

Posted on: 2012/2/14 19:59
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Re: IRS Filing status - civil union? domestic partner? Other?
#3
Newbie
Newbie


Quote:

Erica wrote:
Quote:

cajtax wrote:

For New Jersey tax law, you can be treated as married, and you choose to file as either "Married/CU Couple, filing joint" or "Married/CU Couple, filing separate" on the form.



Even though they aren't legally married in NJ?

(This is not a same-sex couple, so they also don't have a legal civil union in NJ.)


Yes, you are correct. I almost answered this as if you were part of a same-sex couple but then I caught it. You file as single on your federal return and as a "Married/CU Couple, filing joint" on your New Jersey return and compute your taxable income the two different ways.

Don't quote me on this because everyone's situation is different but it seems there isn't much of huge advantage to filing as a civil union couple on a New Jersey return, (versus filing single) unless perhaps one of you is paying a very high rent or mortgage. All it does is add your two incomes together and give your two $1000 exemptions. If one of you had a business loss or capital losses on stock transactions, you can't deduct those on your New Jersey return anyway (whereas, on a federal return, they can be deducted against other income up to a certain amount but that won't matter because you can't file jointly on your federal return).

PM me if you have more questions.


www.cajtaxsolutions.com

Posted on: 2012/2/14 18:34
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Re: IRS Filing status - civil union? domestic partner? Other?
#4
Newbie
Newbie


Quote:

SRhia wrote:
Does NJ recognize "common law marriage" or "civil union" for Opposite sex partners? I'm understand the impression that it doesn't (at least for opposite sex) - is that correct?

Does that mean a jobless partner cannot be claimed as dependent on the partner's tax return? And need to file as "single"?

What about federal tax filing?

TIA.


Your second question is the easier one, so I'll answer that first. Federal tax law does NOT recognize civil unions at all. In the eyes of the IRS, you are both single, or head of household if either of you are a parent or guardian of a minor.

For New Jersey tax law, you can be treated as married, and you choose to file as either "Married/CU Couple, filing joint" or "Married/CU Couple, filing separate" on the form.

A jobless partner cannot be claimed as a dependent on another partner's tax return - they general have to be someone related to you to be your dependent (your child, nephew or niece, or elderly disabled parent etc.).

Send a private message to me if you have any other questions.


www.cajtaxsolutions.com

Posted on: 2012/2/14 2:21
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Re: Looking for Quality Tax Preparer
#5
Newbie
Newbie


Quote:

Stormalong13 wrote:
Hey All,

Looking for a quality tax preparer. Anyone have any references?

Thanks in advance!

~Storm


I am a licensed accountant in Jersey City and prepare taxes for clients both here and around the country. Take a look at my website,

www.cajtaxsolutions.com

or look in the classified section of this website for my ad. Having worked for the IRS and the State of New Jersey, I am well-versed in the federal and the tri-state area tax laws.

Posted on: 2011/1/26 20:48
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