I'm surprised no one mentioned the actual mechanics of WHY the MFJ amount is less than your combined MFS amounts. It's because of how progressive tax brackets work. Say you each make $75k. Filing separately, each of you would have some money taxed at 10%, some at 12%, some at 22%, etc. based on the MFS brackets. But when you combine incomes for MFJ, the brackets are wider. So more of your combined $150k gets taxed at lower rates than when split between two MFS returns. It's like if you had two half-full glasses of water. If you pour them both into a bigger glass, the water level might be lower in the bigger glass because it has a wider base, even though it's the same amount of water. That's an oversimplified explanation, but that's the basic concept of why MFJ often results in lower total tax than MFS combined.

This is such a common confusion for newlyweds! I went through the exact same thing two years ago and it's frustrating how the tax software doesn't explain WHY the numbers change so dramatically. One thing that might help explain your specific situation: the difference in how your numbers changed versus your spouse's likely comes down to your withholding patterns throughout the year. When you were both single, your employers withheld taxes based on single filing status. But once married, if you both continued having taxes withheld as if you were single, one of you might have had "too much" withheld relative to your MFS liability while the other had "too little." The fact that your spouse owes the same amount whether filing single or MFS suggests their withholding was already insufficient for their tax liability. But your withholding as a single person was probably close to perfect for single status, which is why you were getting a refund. When you switch to MFS, you're now subject to different (less favorable) brackets and limitations, so that same withholding amount is no longer enough. For next year, definitely update both of your W-4s to reflect your married status. The IRS W-4 estimator on their website is actually pretty good for this, and it will help you avoid owing so much next year.

When you file the late return, make sure you write the tax year (2023) clearly on the top of the form! The IRS processes millions of returns and you want to make sure they apply it to the correct tax year. Also, if he does owe money and can't pay it all at once, you can request an installment agreement by filing Form 9465 with the late return. This lets you make monthly payments instead of paying the full amount immediately. Don't wait any longer to file though - the longer you wait, the more complicated it gets!

Don't panic! This is actually more common than you think. I went through the exact same thing with my partner a couple years ago and it all worked out fine. First, definitely file that 2023 return ASAP. If your husband typically gets refunds (which it sounds like he does), there's no penalty for filing late - you're just delaying getting your own money back. The IRS is pretty understanding about situations like this. For the practical steps: You'll need to get the 2023 tax forms (not the current year ones), gather all his 2023 documents (W-2s, 1099s, etc.), and mail in a paper return since e-filing is closed for prior years. This won't affect your ability to file 2024 taxes on time at all - they're completely separate. One quick check though - make sure he was actually required to file in 2023. If his income was below the filing threshold, he might not have needed to file at all, which would make this whole situation much simpler! You've got this! Just tackle one year at a time and you'll have everything sorted out soon.

What about expenses though? I deliver for multiple apps too and spend so much on gas and car maintenance that I barely make any profit. Do I still need to pay taxes if my expenses basically cancel out the income?

This is a really common misconception! The $600 threshold only determines whether a company has to send YOU a 1099 form - it has nothing to do with whether the income is taxable. Every dollar you earn from any source is technically taxable income that needs to be reported to the IRS. So yes, you absolutely need to report that $480 from UberEats along with your $780 from Instacart. The fact that they're from different companies doesn't matter - you'll combine all your gig income on Schedule C as self-employment income. Make sure you're tracking your expenses too! Since you're doing delivery work, your biggest deduction will likely be mileage. Keep a log of your business miles for both apps - you can use the standard mileage rate which is currently 67 cents per mile for 2024. Also track other business expenses like phone bills, delivery bags, etc. One more thing - since you're earning over $400 in self-employment income total, you'll also need to pay self-employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare) on top of regular income tax. Consider making quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid penalties next year!

Has anyone here back filed with just the 1040 forms from the IRS website? Or do you really need to use tax software for each specific year? Im trying to save money and wondering if I can just download the forms for each year and fill them out myself.

Just wanted to add something that might help - when you're gathering documents for back filing, make sure to check if you have any 1099s you might have forgotten about. I missed a 1099-INT from a savings account that only had like $12 in interest, but it still needed to be reported. Also, if you can't locate all your documents, you can request wage and income transcripts from the IRS for free through their website or by calling. These transcripts show what income documents were filed under your SSN for each year, which can help you identify any missing paperwork. The good news is that most people in your situation end up getting refunds for the years they didn't file, especially if you had taxes withheld from your paychecks. So don't stress too much - you're likely going to be pleasantly surprised once you get everything sorted out!

Michigan resident here - filed same day as you and got my refund yesterday. Maybe double check your routing/account info?

I'm in the same situation! Filed my Michigan return on 2/9 and still waiting. The Michigan Treasury website is pretty slow to update compared to federal. I've heard from others that Michigan can take up to 6 weeks for processing this time of year, especially if you have any credits or deductions they need to verify. Try not to stress too much - you're definitely not alone in this wait!