Hey Dave,
My boyfriend and I have been living together for nine years. Can we file a joint tax return this year?
Isabelle
Isabelle,
Whether you and your boyfriend are considered to be “married” is a matter of state law, and the law is different for different states. If you live together in a common-law marriage recognized by the state where your marriage began, the IRS considers you to be married and allows you to file a joint return. Keep in mind, however, that no state law uses seven years (a common myth) as the final decision to be considered married.
The states that currently recognize common law marriages are: Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. New Hampshire recognizes common law marriages for inheritance purposes only. You can also add the District of Columbia to the list even though it is not a state.
You should contact a legal authority in your state for a definitive answer to this question for your specific state.
Deductibly Yours,
Dave