I just got married last week and i was wondering if i should file taxes as single or married for 2012 ? Is there any benefit for filing taxes either way ?

Thanks

“I just got married last week and i was wondering if i should file taxes as single or married for 2012 ?”----->As you got married during the year of 2012, you need to file your return either MFJ or MFS;as long as you file your 2012 return as single, that would be tax fraud.



“ Is there any benefit for filing taxes either way ?”---->In general, as you can see, married taxpayers can choose between filing a joint tax return or a separate tax return. The MFJ filing status provides more tax benefits than filing separate returns, but taxpayers will need to weigh the pros and cons and decide for themselves which is the best filing status. By filing a joint tax return, both spouses report all their income, deductions, and credits. Both spouses must sign the return, and both spouses accept full responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information reported on the tax return. "Both of you may be held responsible, jointly and individually, for the tax and any interest or penalty due on your joint return. One spouse may be held responsible for all the tax due even if all the income was earned by the other spouse" . HOWEVER, the IRS may grant relief from joint liability for taxes through innocent spouse relief, separation of liability, or equitable relief.. Filing a separate return provides relief from joint liability for taxes. However, married taxpayers who file separately are not eligible for many tax deductions and credits, and have higher tax rates. In general, it is more advantageous to file a joint return. The MFS filing status is generally perceived as the least beneficial of all the filing statuses. That's because MFS taxpayers are not eligible to claim the following tax benefits:
tuition and fees deduction ;student loan interest deduction ;tax-free exclusion of US bond interest ;tax-free exclusion of Social Security Benefits or etc. There is one clear benefit of filing separately. By filing a separate return, the taxpayer is solely responsible for the accuracy and payment of tax related to that separate return. By contrast, on a jointly filed return, both spouses are jointly responsible for the accuracy of the return and the payment of tax. A spouse who is unwilling to assume legal and financial responsibility for the other spouse's tax obligations should strongly consider filing separately.