Your 2013 Tax Rates are dependent on your Filing Status.
The IRS announced that the 2014 tax season (the season you file your 2013 taxes in) will begin on January 31, 2014. That means there’s a small delay to the opening of the 2014 tax season.
Before filing your taxes in 2014, you should refresh your memory on the 2013 tax rates. Your tax rate will be dependent on what filing status category you fall into and help you get an idea of what your tax refund or tax liability will look like when filing your taxes.
Do You Know Your Tax Rates?
The two tables below will help you see the IRS tax rates for 2013 (the taxes you’ll be filing in 2014). Click on the tax tables to see a larger view (you can even right click and save them to refer back to).
The tax brackets for 2014 tax season don’t vary much from last year’s tax table, except for “high income” earners. That means if you haven’t had any significant changes to your income, your W-4 form, etc., then you’ll probably receive the same tax refund as before.
Do You Know Your Tax Filing Status?
Looking at the tax tables above, you must first know your 2014 tax filing status. This status determines what federal tax bracket you fall into. Not to mention, your filing status determines the calculations for personal exemptions, standard deductions and the deduction phase out incomes.
Single
- If you are unmarried, divorced, or legally separated you will file under the single status.
Married Filing Jointly
- If you are married, you and your spouse can file a joint return. Filing a joint federal return does not mean you have to file a joint state return.
- If your spouse died over the tax year, you can still file a joint return.
- If you are married and do not wish to file with your spouse, you can file under “Married Filing Separately”
Married Filing Separately
- If you fit into the previous category, you have the option to file separate returns and can file as the status “Married filing separately”
Head of Household
- If you are unmarried and pay for more than half of the costs for keeping up a home.
- The home needs to be the main home for both you the filer and one relative who qualify.
- If you are married but did not live with your spouse at any point during the last six months of the year, you can file as “Head of household” if you have at least one child dependent living with you while you provide more than half of the home costs.
Regardless of your filing status, RapidTax is here to help you file your taxes. Although IRS e-file doesn’t begin until January 31, 2014, starting on January 1st, RapidTax will have the 2013 online application available. That means you can create an account and get a head start on your 2013 tax return.
I was wondering how I should file? I got married in NOV. of 2013 and never changed my status with my employer to married, it still states I am single. How should I file for 2013? Please if any one knows let me know. Thank you
Hi Curtis,
You can still file a joint tax return for your 2013 taxes, even if it hasn’t been changed with your employer. You can ask your employer as soon as possible to change your W-4 to married.
OK thank you so much, i will try rapid tax application. thanks again!!
Hi, thanks much for the good info you provide. Helps a lot and learn a lot.
I have a question.
I was married until march 2013 and divorced with two 9 & 11 yrs old children in March 2013.
I claimed M5 in 2013.
Filed Joint married until 2013.
I was trying free tax software myself to see what would be a major changes.
I am Head of house hold now, my 2 children qualifies as my dependent.
I still claiming M5, I did not change last year. (did not know I was supposed to)
But this free online software show that I owe to Fed about $3,000. I used get refund around $4,000 from Fed……
Is this sound right? I think only change is my filing status.. Now I am overwhelmed by this number..
And what is your thought on this? And do I change W4 to S2 for this year?
Please, help.
Thanks
Scott.
Hi Scott,
If you are claiming 2 children and head of household, you probably don’t owe that much and should probably be expecting a refund form the child tax credit. Are you using RapidTax? If not, I suggest creating a username and RapidTax will help you get you maximum refund, be sure to enter your dependents social security numbers and be sure your filing status is head of household.
You can create your account on RapidTax and can enter all of your information to see your tax refund and whether it differs from what the other software stated. Then, you’ll have to pay when you are ready to submit your tax return with RapidTax. If for some reason the refund amount is around the same as the other software stated, then chances are it’s right.
Regarding, your W4, you should change your number you are claiming to 3 or 4. (You basically claim the number based on the number of dependents you are claiming, along with one for yourself and one for head of household. In your case, this number totals 4, although you can claim 3 to get a bigger refund next year. The lower number you claim on your W-4, means the higher your tax refund when filing, but more taxes taken out each pay period).
I recently got married (1/10/2014), and I am unsure if I need to file as married, married filing separately or just single. I mean for the taxable year of 2013 I was not married, so does this effect my filing status for the 2013 taxable year?
Hi Paul,
You will file as single for 2013 taxes considering you got married in 2014. Next year, when you file your 2014 taxes you can file as married filing jointly or married filing separately.
I just got divorced this week, but have been living separated since july 2013. For tax purposes, do I file as married, separated or divorced for my 2013 tax return?
Hi Enid,
If you got divorced this year (2014), it doesn’t effect your 2013 tax return. You will taxes as married filing separately since you lived apart.