<prompt> Human: Hi Personal Finance!I dont know the first thing about taxes filed jointly vs. singly. Does somebody know a good resource to help out? Heres the short version -- getting married officially next year, but were considering getting the paperwork handled this year if it means that we get a tax break. She was a student working now, and Im an independent contractor big bill coming for sure. Im not sure if she can write off tuition or not, or if it helps us to reduce the overall burden this year by getting married before Dec. 31st or not. Anybody have any idea how to work this stuff out? Im at a total loss.  <response>: Marriage almost always helps when the spouses incomes are very different from each other.That is, in your case, marriage in 2013 will probably save you a bunch on taxes.If her 2013 situation is similar to her 2012 situation, and if you can produce your 2013 numbers accurately, try just adding the income, deductions, exemptions, and credits from your separate returns, and calculate the tax owed on the taxable income. Since shes not adding much income but is adding deductions or at least not removing any if you itemize and she doesnt, an exemption, and a much better bracket, youll almost certainly come out owing less. 