JohnW152
Expert Alumni

Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Once you’re married, if you file a joint tax return, your joint refund can be applied to offset any child support debts you have.  So, yes, the refund on your joint return could be taken to offset your debts.

And, if you each file with the Married Filing Separately filing status, there are a number of tax credits you wouldn’t be eligible for.

However, there’s something called an Injured Spouse claim that will probably benefit you as a couple, especially since you won’t be working.  

For information, please see the TurboTax article What is IRS Form 8379: Injured Spouse Allocation - TurboTax Tax Tips & Videos.   

Form 8379 entry information can be found at How do I file Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation?.  

Also see Levying your state tax refund through the State Income Tax Levy Program (SITLP) in the IRS’ Federal and State Levy Programs page for more information on tax refund offset.

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