What will happen if you file as single if you are married?

Even if you only made a small amount of money like suppose around $4,000 dollars. What can they do? Will they find out?What will happen if you file as single if you are married?
Legally, if you are married, then you have to file as so, either jointly or separate... if you are concerned about your spouses debt, there is an injured spouse form you can fill out.





In reality, they only way the IRS will question your marriage status is if you file as single one year, then file married the next, using the same spouse. But remember, telling the government that you are no longer married will jeopardize other married benefits (social security survival benefits, military or govt retirement etc).What will happen if you file as single if you are married?
Why would you want to do that if you only made 4,000. You can file married filing separately and still probably get the same result if your not claiming any credits. As far as what would happen, I'm not really what they would do, but I imagine not much since its not that severe.
They will find out and later you will have to pay penalties and interest on taxes due. You need to add both your incomes together.The IRS gets a copy of your w2.
The standard deduction and exemption will offset all of the $4000 income, so you owe no taxes on this money.





Why put yourself in jeopardy by lying on your tax return? Play it straight and then you don't have to be afraid of getting caught.





If you don't want to file a joint return with your husband, then file ';married filing separately.'; But, don't file single - that could lead to more trouble than you want to cope with.
Yes, they will find out. Married couples often pay less in taxes than two individuals. Why would you want to do that?





If the IRS finds out, you COULD face prosecution for fraud. Why do you want to lie and cheat your fellow countrymen?
they will find out
You *do* realize you'll almost definitely owe less taxes (get a larger refund) if you file as married, right?





Did your spouse also file as single?





Did the two of you even *try* to calculate what your tax situation would be if you filed married, the way you're supposed to?