Married filing separately
Varies
Can You Write Off Married Filing Separately?
Short answer: It can protect you from a spouse's tax debt, but you lose the student loan interest deduction, most education credits, and much of the EITC.
If one spouse itemizes, the other must itemize too.
Records to keep: Keep receipts, statements (1098, 1098-T, 1099, W-2G), and a note of what each cost was for. Compare itemizing to the 2026 standard deduction before you claim.
Married filing separately
Varies
Individuals / Personal Taxes
It can protect you from a spouse's tax debt, but you lose the student loan interest deduction, most education credits, and much of the EITC.
Business justification
It can protect you from a spouse's tax debt, but you lose the student loan interest deduction, most education credits, and much of the EITC. If one spouse itemizes, the other must itemize too.
Category
- Personal Tax Deductions