How Getting Married Affects Your Taxes
Quick Answer
Getting married changes your filing status, typically to married filing jointly, which doubles your standard deduction to $30,000 and widens your tax brackets. Most couples pay less in combined taxes after marriage (the marriage bonus), especially when one spouse earns significantly more. You will need to update your W-4 and may want to adjust retirement contributions and withholding.
What Changes When You Get Married
| Tax Item | Before (Single) | After (Married Filing Jointly) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard deduction | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| 12% bracket ends at | $48,475 | $96,950 |
| 22% bracket ends at | $103,350 | $206,700 |
| Roth IRA phaseout | $150K-$165K | $236K-$246K |
| Child Tax Credit phaseout | $200,000 | $400,000 |
| Additional Medicare Tax threshold | $200,000 | $250,000 |
Real Example With Actual Numbers
Jason earns $110,000 and his fiancee Kim earns $45,000. They live in Texas.
Before Marriage (Both Single)
- Jason: $110,000 - $15,000 = $95,000 taxable. Tax: ~$14,704
- Kim: $45,000 - $15,000 = $30,000 taxable. Tax: ~$3,362
- Combined: $18,066
After Marriage (Filing Jointly)
- Combined: $155,000 - $30,000 = $125,000 taxable
- Tax: ~$17,798
- Combined: $17,798
Marriage bonus: $268/year. The bonus is modest here because both have income. If Kim earned $0, the bonus would be over $5,000. Try the married calculator to see your specific bonus or penalty.
Your Tax To-Do List After Getting Married
1. Update Your W-4
Both spouses should submit new W-4 forms to their employers. The most common mistake is failing to account for the second spouse's income, which leads to under-withholding.
If both spouses work:
- Check the "Married, but withhold at higher Single rate" box, OR
- Use Step 2 to account for two incomes
- Claim dependents in Step 3 if applicable
2. Decide on Filing Status
Most couples should file jointly. Consider filing separately only if:
- One spouse has high medical expenses
- Student loan repayment on an income-driven plan
- Liability concerns
3. Review Retirement Strategy
Marriage opens new planning opportunities:
- Both spouses should contribute to their 401(k) plans — combined maximum: $47,000 ($23,500 each)
- A non-working spouse can contribute to a spousal IRA ($7,000)
- Roth IRA phaseout jumps to $236,000 AGI — more room to contribute
4. Update Beneficiaries
Update 401(k), IRA, and life insurance beneficiary designations. In most states, your spouse is automatically the 401(k) beneficiary by law.
5. Coordinate Health Insurance
Compare employer plans and choose the one that covers both spouses at the best cost. The health insurance decision affects your pre-tax deductions and take-home pay.
State Tax Implications
Marriage affects state taxes differently depending on where you live:
- No-tax states (Texas, Florida, etc.): No state tax impact
- Community property states (California, Texas, etc.): Income is automatically split 50/50 for married filing separately
- High-tax states: The state-level marriage bonus or penalty can add or subtract $1,000-$3,000
Compare your pre- and post-marriage take-home pay at the SalaryHog calculator and the married calculator.