Your Wedding Date Doesn’t Work the Way You Think on Taxes (And That’s Why February Gets Messy)
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January 28, 2026January often feels like a quiet month when it comes to taxes. The holidays are over, April feels far away, and many people assume there’s plenty of time to deal with tax matters later. After working with U.S. taxpayers—particularly professionals, business owners, and Americans living or working abroad—I can say with certainty that this assumption leads to some of the most expensive tax mistakes I see each year.
A client once asked me a question that sounded simple—but it stopped me in my tracks:
“I got married on December 26… so do I file single until the 26th, and then married after that?”
I get why people think that. Life changes mid-year, so it feels logical that taxes should “switch” mid-year too.
But the IRS doesn’t treat marriage like a light switch.
The rule that surprises most couples
For federal taxes, your filing status is generally based on whether you were married or unmarried on the last day of the year. That means if you’re married on December 31, the IRS generally treats you as married for the entire year.
So no—there’s usually no “single until the wedding date” option.
And the moment couples understand that, the real questions begin.
The 3 questions couples avoid—until February panic hits
1) “Should we file together or separately?”
Once you’re considered married for the year, you generally choose between:
- Married Filing Jointly, or
- Married Filing Separately
Most couples assume “together” is always best. Often it is—but not always. The right choice depends on your income mix, deductions, student loans, kids, and how your finances are structured.
Also important: filing separately can limit eligibility for certain credits in many situations—so you don’t want to pick it casually.
2) “Who gets to claim the kids?”
If kids are involved—especially in blended families or co-parenting arrangements—this becomes the biggest landmine.
The IRS has specific rules for divorced or separated parents (or parents who live apart) about who can claim a child and which benefits follow the child.
In many cases, if one parent is allowed to claim the child as a dependent under the special rules, it may require a signed release (often handled using Form 8332).
3) “Does our prenup change anything?”
A prenup may shape how you share money as a couple—but it doesn’t change the IRS’s basic “married vs. unmarried” filing-status rule (which is tied to your status at year-end).
In other words: your agreement may guide your household decisions, but the IRS still applies its own definitions and filing rules.
What about divorce or separation?
Another common surprise: if you’re separated but not legally divorced by the last day of the year, the IRS generally still treats you as married for filing purposes—unless a specific exception applies.
This is why people who have a “rough year” often get blindsided at tax time.
A simple way to avoid the February scramble
If your relationship status changed this year—married, separated, divorced—or if anything shifted with kids or shared expenses, don’t wait until the return is due.
Have the conversation early so you can:
- choose the filing approach that fits your situation,
- avoid mistakes with dependents,
and prevent last-minute surprises.
Important Notice
This article is intended for general informational purposes only. It describes a representative fact pattern and planning approach based on a real world situation, but details have been simplified and anonymized. Nothing in this article is intended to constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice, nor should it be relied upon as such. Tax residency, entity structuring, compensation design, and international tax outcomes depend heavily on individual facts and circumstances. Readers should consult with their own professional advisors before taking any action based on the information discussed here.
