Marriage is about love, but it can also be a smart financial move. Beyond shared expenses and financial security, the tax code includes several incentives that make filing jointly more appealing than staying single.
If you and your partner are considering tying the knot, now might be a good time to check up on your financial health and see how marriage could improve your bottom line. Here are 10 tax advantages of getting married.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal.
The overall tax rate can be much lower
/images/2025/02/27/interest-rate-financial-and-mortgage-adobe.jpg)
Married couples who file jointly often pay a lower combined tax rate than if they filed separately.
Thanks to wider tax brackets, couples with significant income differences may see their overall tax liability decrease compared to if they each filed an individual return. This benefit is especially noticeable when one spouse earns significantly more than the other.
The standard deduction is much higher for married couples
/images/2024/01/25/filing_online_taxes_before_deadline.jpg)
For tax year 2025, the standard deduction for single filers is $15,000. However, for married couples filing jointly, it jumps to $30,200.
This means fewer couples will need to itemize deductions, simplifying tax preparation while also reducing taxable income. The higher deduction may result in significant tax savings compared to filing as two single individuals.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1 <p>Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 46% before fees, or 25% including our fees, over 12 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p>
How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.
Non-working spouses can contribute to an IRA
/images/2025/01/14/ira_-_acronym_under_magnifying_glass.jpg)
Normally, individuals must have earned income to contribute to an IRA. However, a spousal IRA allows a non-working spouse to contribute based on their partner's earnings.
This means married couples can double their retirement contributions, maximizing tax-deferred growth. Over time, this can lead to greater savings and financial security in retirement.
FSA contribution rates are higher
/images/2023/03/13/fsa-adobe.jpg)
If both spouses work and have access to flexible spending accounts (FSAs), they can each contribute up to the IRS limit of $3,300 per person.
This allows couples to set aside more pre-tax dollars for medical expenses, thus reducing taxable income. Given the rising cost of health care, this extra tax-advantaged savings can make a big difference.
More profits from a home sale can be sheltered from capital gains
/images/2025/01/14/sold-home-for-sale-sign-adobe.jpg)
When selling a primary residence, single filers can exclude up to $250,000 of capital gains from taxes, while married couples can exclude double that amount: up to $500,000.
This means couples who have seen their home appreciate significantly will be able to keep more of their profits tax-free.
Trending Stories
Spouses can combine their annual gift tax exclusions
/images/2025/02/05/gift-tax-word-adobe.jpg)
The IRS allows individuals to gift up to $19,000 per recipient during 2025 without incurring gift taxes. Married couples can combine their exclusions, meaning they can jointly gift up to $38,000 per recipient tax-free.
This can be a useful strategy for those looking to transfer wealth to heirs while minimizing taxes.
Married couples can give more to heirs tax-free
/images/2024/04/21/estate-tax-form.jpg)
In addition to the annual gift tax exclusion, married couples benefit from higher estate tax exemptions.
The federal estate tax exemption is $13.99 million per individual for tax year 2025, meaning a married couple can shelter up to $27.98 million from federal estate taxes.
This makes marriage a powerful estate-planning tool for those with significant assets.
Marriage gives you access to the estate tax marital deduction
/images/2022/09/30/estate-tax-forms-on-a-desk.jpg)
The estate tax marital deduction allows couples to set up a situation where upon the death of one spouse, an unlimited amount of assets will transfer to the surviving spouse tax-free.
This can help preserve wealth for the family while delaying any estate tax obligations until the second spouse's passing.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2 <p>See website for details.</p>
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Filing a return may be cheaper
/images/2024/04/08/filing-the-income-tax-return.jpg)
Many tax professionals charge less for preparing a joint return than they would if you filed two separate returns.
Since joint returns often result in lower overall tax liability, couples may save money both on taxes and tax preparation fees.
Bottom line
/images/2023/02/07/married_couple_talking_with_financial_advisor_on_a_meeting.jpg)
From lower tax rates to estate planning benefits, married couples can take advantage of tax breaks that single filers don't have access to.
So, remember that saying "I do" can be a key way to eliminate some money stress in your life.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Learn how to make an extra $200
Get vetted side hustles and proven ways to earn extra cash sent to your inbox.
Author Details