Marriage Tax Benefits: A Comprehensive Guide for Couples

It’s a common question we get as financial advisors: What are the tax benefits of marriage?

As couples plan for their big day, the last thing most people think about is taxes. However, marriage can have a big impact on a couple’s financial situation, especially when it comes to how they file their tax returns and how much tax they’ll pay.

Depending on the circumstances, there can be significant tax benefits of marriage, but there can also be drawbacks. For many people, the main tax benefit of filing as a married couple is ease: They get to file a joint tax return, and sometimes, take more deductions.

Minimizing any potential negative tax implications of marriage requires advance planning — ideally, before you and your betrothed walk down the aisle and say “I do.”

How about being tax-wise as an investor? Get our financial planners’ insights in our free guide 5 Tax Hack Every Investor Should Know. When you download the guide, you gain access to the Personal Capital Dashboard, a free tool for managing your financial life in one place.