- 1). Get legally married by Dec. 31 to be considered married for tax purposes. As of 2010, same-sex couples could not file as "married" even if they are legally married in a state that permits same-sex marriages.
- 2). Obtain Form 1040 from the Internal Revenue Service.
- 3). Mark "married filing jointly" under your filing status. Provide Social Security numbers for both you and your spouse.
- 4). Report income for both you and your spouse on Form 1040. Take the standard deduction for couples filing jointly or itemize your deductions. If you are filing jointly, you may report medical expenses or child care expenses for both of you on your list of itemized deductions.
- 5). Sign and date your tax return. Mail it to the IRS along with any required payment.
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