Joint Return

Joint Return means:
a tax return filed by a husband and wife, setting forth tax information concerning each of them, and computing a combined tax liability. Taxable income is calculated with progressive rates based on the assumption that the couple's income is earned equally by the two spouses. A husband and wife can also file separate returns, and the total tax liability may then differ from that of a joint return for the same two people. Typically, however, the joint return provides a lower total tax than do separate returns. Former IRC (check if this IRC provision is current here) §6013.

U.S. and other Developed Countries International Tax Meaning

A single return made jointly by husband and wife.

Description and Definition of Joint Return

A return filed by a married couple reporting their combined income and deductions. The couple must be married as of the last day of their tax year in order to qualify for this filing status. A married couple can also elect to file as married filing separately.

Resources

See Also

Further Reading

• Joint Return in the West's Tax Law Dictionary
• Joint Return in “A Dictionary of Taxation”