Should we get married before year-end for tax benefits? Is it worth it?

As a tax professional, I can definitely see why you're considering this. The "marriage penalty" can actually be a "marriage bonus" in situations like yours where one spouse earns significantly more than the other. Filing jointly would put you in a lower effective tax bracket compared to filing as single. Just be aware of a few things: First, your legal marriage date determines your filing status for the entire year - if you get married on December 31, 2025, you're considered married for all of 2025. Second, this will change how you file your W-4 with your employer. You'll want to adjust your withholding to account for your new filing status. One thing I often tell clients in your situation - don't let the tax tail wag the dog. Yes, $16K is significant, but marriage is also a legal arrangement that affects property rights, inheritance, medical decisions, etc. Make sure you're both comfortable with all aspects of legal marriage, not just the tax benefits.

I went through something similar last year! I was tired of paying so much in taxes while basically living like a married couple with my partner. We used https://taxr.ai to analyze our situation and it showed we'd save about $14K by filing jointly. We had a courthouse wedding in November and are planning our "real" ceremony for next summer. The service helped us figure out exactly how much we'd save with our specific income situation. It was super helpful seeing the numbers laid out clearly - made the decision much easier. The tool also helped us understand how to adjust withholdings after getting married.

I tried what you're planning and it was 100% worth it! Used https://taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and the analysis showed we'd save around $13K by filing jointly. We got legally married last December and are having our ceremony this fall. The service was super helpful - it showed exactly how our tax brackets would change and explained which deductions would work differently. The best part was being able to see different scenarios side by side. We ran the numbers both ways (filing single vs. joint) with our exact income situation and the difference was significant enough to make the decision easy. My partner and I are so glad we did it. The money we saved is going straight toward our actual wedding budget, which feels much better than giving it to the IRS!

Have you considered that getting married might affect your girlfriend's financial aid for grad school? My friend did this and her husband's income suddenly counted against her eligibility for grants and income-based loan repayment. Cost them way more than they saved in taxes. Also, I've been trying to call the IRS for weeks about a similar situation and can't get through. Someone on another thread recommended https://claimyr.com and shared this demo video https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. Apparently they get you through to an actual IRS agent without the endless hold times. I'm planning to try it to get definitive answers about my own situation. If you do call them, ask specifically about FAFSA implications for graduate students who get married mid-program. The rules are complicated and it's worth understanding before you sign those papers.

Just tried Claimyr after responding to that comment and... I'm shocked to say it actually works! I've been trying to reach the IRS for THREE WEEKS about my own married filing situation. Used the service this morning, and they called me back in about 2 hours when an agent was ready. Completely worth it. The agent clarified exactly how my specific situation would work with married filing jointly vs. separate. Even pointed out a credit I would have missed. Honestly, I wish I'd known about this sooner - would have saved me so much frustration and uncertainty. Regarding the original post - the agent confirmed that December marriages still count for the entire tax year, but mentioned some potential financial aid complications that might be worth looking into for your girlfriend's grad program.

My wife and I did exactly this three years ago. We were planning to get married anyway, but moved up the legal part to December to get the tax benefit. Saved us about $11K that first year. A few things I wish someone had told me: 1. You'll need to plan for the tax implications for NEXT year too. Your withholding will be way off unless you update your W-4 right away in January. 2. Consider how this affects health insurance. If either of you has benefits through work, getting married is usually a qualifying event to add a spouse. 3. Make sure you're both on the same page about finances once you're legally married. Will you combine accounts? How will you handle budgeting? We had our "real" wedding 8 months after legally marrying and kept the legal part private. No regrets at all.

Has anyone considered the potential downsides of getting legally married just for tax purposes? What happens if (god forbid) things don't work out before your planned wedding? Now you'd need a legal divorce instead of just a breakup. I know everyone thinks their relationship is solid, but life throws curveballs. My brother did this exact tax move and then they postponed their wedding twice. Eventually they realized they had different life goals and now they're dealing with divorce lawyers instead of wedding planners.

One thing nobody's mentioned - make sure you understand what a "confidential marriage" actually means in your state. In California, for example, a confidential marriage license means the marriage is not part of the public record, but it's still a 100% legal marriage with all the same rights and responsibilities. Also, double-check that your state allows the filing status you're planning. Most states follow federal filing status requirements, but some have different rules for state tax returns. My state requires you to use the same filing status on your state return as you did on your federal return, but not all states do.

I'm actually going through this exact decision right now! My partner and I are in a very similar situation - I make about $180K and she's in her final year of grad school with no income. We've been together for 5 years and are definitely planning to marry anyway. What really helped us was running the numbers through multiple scenarios. We used one of those tax calculators mentioned here and it showed we'd save around $14K by filing jointly. That's a significant chunk of change that could go toward our actual wedding or a house down payment. One thing I'd add - check if your girlfriend's grad program offers any emergency financial aid or grants that might be affected by your marriage. Some schools have specific policies about mid-program marital status changes that could impact her funding. We discovered her program had a small emergency fund for students in financial need that she wouldn't qualify for once we're legally married. Also, make sure you're both mentally prepared for the "secret" aspect. We've decided to tell our parents but ask them to keep it quiet until our ceremony. It felt weird not being completely transparent with family, but we want to preserve the specialness of our actual wedding day. The tax savings definitely make it worth it in our situation, but it's good you're thinking through all the implications first!

I actually did this same calculation last year and want to share some insights that might help. My partner and I were in almost identical circumstances - I was making around $190K while she was finishing her PhD with no income. The tax savings are real and substantial in your situation. We saved about $15K that first year, which was close to what the calculators predicted. However, there are a few things I wish I'd considered more carefully: 1. **State-specific implications**: Some states have different rules about when you can change your filing status mid-year. Make sure you understand your state's requirements. 2. **Health insurance timing**: If your girlfriend isn't currently on your health plan, getting legally married creates a qualifying event to add her immediately rather than waiting for open enrollment. This could save you money right away if she's paying for her own coverage. 3. **Student loan implications**: This is big - once you're married, her income-driven repayment calculations will include your income, which could significantly increase her monthly payments once she graduates. Make sure to factor this into your long-term financial planning. 4. **Estate planning**: Being legally married automatically gives you certain inheritance rights and medical decision-making authority. Make sure you're both comfortable with these legal changes happening before your "official" wedding. The $16K savings definitely made it worthwhile for us, and we had no regrets. Our "real" wedding was just as special 10 months later. Just make sure you're considering all the financial ramifications beyond just the immediate tax benefit.

I'm a tax preparer and see this situation fairly often. Your math is probably right about the $16K savings - that's a typical marriage bonus when one spouse has high income and the other has zero income. A few practical tips if you move forward: **Timing**: Get married by December 31st to claim married filing jointly status for the entire 2025 tax year. Even December 31st counts for the full year. **Withholding adjustments**: Update your W-4 immediately in January 2026 to "Married Filing Jointly" and adjust your withholding allowances. Otherwise you'll massively overpay taxes next year since your current withholding assumes single status. **Documentation**: Keep your marriage certificate safe - you'll need it for tax filing and potentially for employer benefit changes. **State taxes**: Double-check your state's rules. Most states follow federal filing status, but a few have quirks. The financial benefit is real, but make sure you're both genuinely ready for legal marriage with all its implications beyond taxes. Once you sign that certificate, you're legally married regardless of when you have your ceremony. Also consider that next year when your girlfriend starts working, you'll want to run the numbers again. Depending on her income level, you might benefit from married filing separately in future years.

This is such a smart financial move! My husband and I did something very similar three years ago. I was making around $180K while he was finishing his dissertation with no income. We got legally married in November for the tax benefits and had our "real" wedding the following summer. A few things that really helped us: **Financial planning**: We saved about $13K that first year, which we put directly toward our wedding budget. It felt so much better using that money for our celebration rather than giving it to the government! **Managing expectations**: We told our immediate families about the legal marriage but emphasized it was just "paperwork" and that our summer ceremony would be the real celebration. Everyone understood and it actually made them more excited for the "official" wedding. **Practical considerations**: Make sure to factor in health insurance changes if applicable. Adding a spouse mid-year can sometimes save money immediately if they're currently on an expensive individual plan. **Communication**: The most important thing was that we were both 100% aligned on treating the legal marriage as purely administrative. We continued calling each other boyfriend/girlfriend until our actual wedding day, which helped maintain the specialness of that moment. Looking back, it was absolutely the right decision. The tax savings significantly helped our financial goals, and our wedding was just as meaningful and special. The legal paperwork beforehand didn't diminish that experience at all. Given your situation and income levels, the math definitely seems to work in your favor!

This is such a practical question and I love seeing all the detailed responses! As someone who's been through a similar situation, I wanted to add a few considerations that might be helpful. First, the tax savings are absolutely real in your income bracket disparity. When one partner has $195K and the other has $0, married filing jointly typically provides substantial benefits because you're essentially spreading that income across two people for tax bracket purposes. However, I'd strongly recommend getting professional tax advice specific to your situation before making the decision. A good CPA can run your exact numbers and also help you understand implications for future years when your girlfriend starts working. They can also advise on optimal timing - some people benefit more from getting married early in the year versus late December. One thing I haven't seen mentioned much is the potential impact on retirement account contributions. Once you're married, your non-working spouse can contribute to a spousal IRA even without earned income, which could provide additional tax benefits beyond just the filing status change. Also consider setting up a clear financial plan for how you'll handle money as a legally married couple. Will you combine finances immediately or wait until the "real" wedding? How will you handle major purchases or debt? Having these conversations beforehand can prevent awkwardness later. The courthouse marriage route definitely works for many couples in your situation - just make sure you're both fully comfortable with all the legal and emotional implications, not just the tax benefits!

I'm actually a tax attorney and see this situation frequently. Your $16K savings estimate sounds very reasonable given the income disparity - that's a classic "marriage bonus" scenario where filing jointly drops your effective tax rate significantly. A few legal considerations beyond the tax benefits: **Community property implications**: Depending on your state, getting legally married could immediately change how any assets or debts acquired after marriage are classified. Make sure you understand your state's property laws. **Gift tax benefits**: Once married, you can make unlimited gifts to each other without tax implications. This becomes relevant if you're planning to transfer significant assets or help with student loan payments. **Social Security benefits**: Though it probably seems far off, legal marriage establishes eligibility for spousal Social Security benefits, which can be valuable long-term planning. **Estate planning updates**: You'll want to update beneficiaries on retirement accounts, life insurance, etc. once you're legally married, even if you're keeping it private. The courthouse approach is perfectly legitimate and common. I'd recommend consulting with both a CPA for tax optimization and potentially an estate planning attorney to make sure all your legal documents align with your new marital status. The $16K annual savings will likely more than cover these professional consultations. From a purely financial standpoint, this makes complete sense in your situation. Just ensure you're both aligned on the legal responsibilities that come with marriage beyond the tax benefits.

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My partner and I have been discussing this exact same decision - I make about $185K and she's finishing her PhD with no income this year. After reading all these responses, I'm convinced the tax savings are real and substantial. What really sealed it for me was seeing multiple people share actual results that matched their projections pretty closely. The $16K you'd save is significant money that could go toward your actual wedding or other financial goals. A few things I'm taking away from this discussion that might help you: 1. **Get professional advice**: The tax attorney's comment about consulting both a CPA and estate planning attorney makes total sense. The cost would be minimal compared to your savings. 2. **Plan for next year**: Multiple people mentioned updating your W-4 immediately after marriage to avoid overpaying taxes in 2026. That's something I hadn't thought about. 3. **Consider all the benefits**: Beyond taxes, there's potential health insurance savings, spousal IRA contributions, and other financial advantages that could add up to even more than $16K. 4. **The secrecy aspect**: It seems like most couples who did this successfully told immediate family but framed it as "administrative paperwork" while preserving the specialness of their actual ceremony. Given your 6+ year relationship and the substantial financial benefit, this seems like a smart financial decision that won't diminish your eventual wedding celebration at all. The key seems to be approaching it as a practical financial move while keeping the emotional significance separate for your real wedding day.

I'm a CPA and wanted to address the RSU question that came up. Yes, marriage status can affect RSU taxation, but probably not in the way you're thinking. The RSUs themselves are taxed as ordinary income when they vest regardless of filing status, but your overall tax situation changes because you're filing jointly. With RSUs, the main consideration is withholding. Your employer will withhold taxes at supplemental income rates (usually 22% federal) when they vest, but your actual tax rate depends on your total household income. If you're married filing jointly with a high-income spouse, you might end up owing additional taxes at filing time since the withholding assumes single status. Make sure to adjust your W-4 and potentially make estimated quarterly payments once you're married to account for the RSU income combined with your spouse's income. The marriage itself doesn't change how RSUs are taxed, but it changes your overall tax picture. Regarding the original post - the December courthouse marriage strategy is very common and typically works exactly as planned for couples in your income situation. I've prepared taxes for many couples who did this and the savings are consistently substantial when one spouse has high income and the other has zero income. Just make sure to plan ahead for next year's withholding adjustments!