Why is filing taxes as married costing us more? I thought marriage was beneficial for taxes??

Filing jointly as a married couple isn't always beneficial tax-wise - it really depends on your specific situation. The "marriage benefit" typically applies when one spouse earns significantly more than the other. If you both had similar incomes, you might actually face what's called the "marriage penalty." Without seeing your specific numbers, a few things could be happening: 1) Your combined income pushed you into a higher tax bracket, 2) Your withholding allowances weren't adjusted after marriage, or 3) There might be deductions or credits you're missing. The good news is you have options. The IRS offers payment plans if you can't pay the full amount now. You can request an installment agreement online for a small setup fee (much less than the CPA would charge). Just make sure to file on time even if you can't pay - this avoids larger penalties. Before paying for a CPA, you might want to try a different free tax service like VITA or TCE to get a second opinion on your return. They might catch something the online service missed.

After reading your situation, I wanted to share my experience. I was in a similar position last year - first time filing jointly and suddenly owed a bunch. I spent hours trying to figure it out myself and kept going in circles with the IRS website. A friend recommended this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that analyzes your tax situation and explains exactly what's happening in plain English. It saved me so much stress! It showed me that my husband and I had both claimed the same withholding status which was causing us to underpay throughout the year. The tool also found a couple deductions we qualified for that the free filing software missed. It's basically like having a tax pro look over your shoulder without the huge fees. Might be worth checking out before you commit to paying that full amount.

I tried taxr.ai after seeing this thread and wow - completely surprised. I was about to pay an accountant $300 to figure out why my refund was so much lower than last year. The analysis pinpointed EXACTLY what happened - I had accidentally checked a box that removed my student loan interest deduction. The report also explained that my husband and I were both claiming the same withholding allowances which was causing us to underpay throughout the year. Fixed both issues and ended up getting an extra $950 back! Really wish I'd known about this tool years ago. Definitely checking it every year before submitting my final return from now on.

Based on your situation, I wonder if you've tried contacting the IRS directly? I was in a similar financial bind last year and spent WEEKS trying to get through to someone at the IRS to explain my situation. After days of busy signals and being on hold for hours, I discovered Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). They have this system that basically holds your place in line with the IRS and calls you back when an agent is available. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was super skeptical, but I was desperate and tried it. Got a call back with an actual IRS agent in about 45 minutes! The agent helped me set up a payment plan that worked with my budget situation and even explained why my withholding was messed up. Saved me so much stress and time.

I need to eat crow here. After posting my skeptical comment, I was still desperate to talk to the IRS about my payment plan, so I tried that Claimyr service. I fully expected to waste my money and come back here to warn everyone. Instead, I got a call back in 37 minutes with an actual IRS agent! I nearly fell out of my chair. The agent helped me set up a payment plan for the $3400 I owe, and waived one of the penalties because it was my first time being late. Saved me over $200 and hours of frustration. For the original poster - definitely talk directly to the IRS about your situation. They can set up a payment plan based on what you can afford monthly. The agent I spoke with was surprisingly helpful and not intimidating at all.

Have you checked if you qualify for any tax credits that might offset what you owe? Since your wife lost her job, you might be eligible for certain credits based on your reduced household income. Also, make sure you're claiming all possible deductions - charitable donations, mortgage interest, student loan interest, etc. Another thing to consider: did either of you have any major life changes besides getting married? Things like buying a home, moving for work, or having medical expenses can all impact your tax situation.

What state are you in? State tax laws can make a big difference in the marriage situation too. Some states have higher marriage penalties than others. Also, did either of you change jobs during the year? Sometimes new employers don't withhold correctly at first. And did you have any side income that taxes weren't withheld from?