5 Tax Benefits of Marriage That Can Save You Money

Chelsea Zhao is an assistant director of High-Net-Worth Tax Planning at Northwestern Mutual.

The cost of planning a wedding might induce sticker shock, but tying the knot also has some financial perks. Marriage has several key tax advantages. For starters, married couples can file a joint tax return to unlock a larger standard deduction. And if you eventually have children, you could be eligible for additional tax deductions and credits. Here are some key marriage tax benefits to have on your radar.

Filing taxes jointly has financial benefits

Your tax-filing status is important because it impacts your tax rate and determines which tax credits and deductions you can claim. Married couples have the ability to file jointly. That means combining your income, tax credits, and deductions into a single return. This route usually makes it easier to qualify for certain tax deductions and tax credits. Deductions decrease your taxable income, while credits directly reduce your tax bill.

One of the biggest advantages of filing jointly is that you can also claim a larger standard deduction. This is the amount that’s automatically subtracted from your joint taxable income. In 2026, the standard deduction for married couples who file a joint tax return is $32,200—which is double the amount for a single person or married couple filing separately.

Marriage can put you in a lower tax bracket

Your income determines your tax bracket—and, in turn, the rate at which your income is taxed. Below is a snapshot of the 2026 tax brackets.

If your spouse earns substantially less than you do, filing a joint tax return could put you in a lower tax bracket, but this isn’t always the case. It’s possible that combining your income could actually push you into a higher tax bracket—a situation that’s commonly referred to as the marriage tax penalty. This is more likely to happen if you’re both low- or high-income earners.

Marriage can increase your gain exclusion in home sales

If you sell your primary residence and meet the eligibility requirements, a single filer can exclude a capital gain of up to $250,000 from their taxable income. This gain exclusion is doubled to $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly. That can allow you to hold onto more equity and net a larger proceed from the home sale.

Nonworking spouses can save for retirement with an IRA

Getting married can also make it easier to save for the future. Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) allow you to build your nest egg outside an employer-sponsored plan. You can open and fund an IRA yourself—and enjoy some nice tax advantages along the way.

• Traditional IRAs allow for tax-deductible contributions and tax-deferred growth. That means you won’t owe taxes until you make withdrawals in retirement.
• Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax dollars. You can generally withdraw your contributions at any time without federal income tax or penalties. You can also generally tap your investment earnings free of federal income tax if you’re at least 59½ and have had the account for five years or longer.

As a married couple, saving for retirement can be challenging if one partner steps out of the workforce to care for young children or aging parents. A spousal IRA allows the working spouse to contribute on behalf of the non-working partner—up to $7,500 in 2026 (or $8,600 if you’re 50 or older). This could be set up as a traditional IRA or Roth IRA, but you must file a joint tax return to qualify.

Married couples can access each other’s employment benefits

This is one of the most significant tax benefits of marriage because it can indirectly lead to tax savings. For example, let’s say you’re enrolled in a high-deductible health plan through your spouse’s employer. That will allow you to contribute to a health savings account (HSA), which offers a unique triple tax break:

• Contributions are tax-deductible.
• You won’t owe taxes on growth.
• You’re entitled to tax-free withdrawals if the money is used to pay for qualified medical expenses.

The HSA contribution limit is $8,750 for family coverage ($4,400 for single coverage). In addition, a $1,000 annual catch-up contribution is available when either spouse is age 55 or older. Once you turn 65, you can use HSA funds for anything you like, including retirement income (though these distributions will be taxed).

Speaking of retirement savings, it might also feel easier to make pretax 401(k) contributions as a married, dual-income household. These contributions are tax-deductible, which will reduce your taxable income for the year.

Married couples have estate tax benefits

When someone passes away and leaves assets behind for their loved ones, it could trigger an estate tax and, in some states, an inheritance tax. In 2026, there’s a $15 million estate tax exemption per person—although some states have lower thresholds. That means federal estate tax will kick in only on an estate’s value that exceeds that amount, and the threshold for married couples is twice as high.

Spousal gifts are almost always exempt from estate tax at the state and federal level—even if your partner leaves you millions of dollars after their death, and inherited assets generally receive a step-up in basis, which may reduce future capital gains taxes. However, the surviving spouse may not be able to exclude the full amount if they are not a U.S. citizen.

Is it better to be married or single, financially speaking?

Only you and your partner can decide if getting married is the right move. If it feels like a good decision, the tax benefits of marriage can be an added bonus. But matters of the heart can be complicated, which is why your Northwestern Mutual financial advisor can be a valuable resource. They can help answer your questions and plan strategically as you and your spouse build your life together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you get a better tax return if you are married?

Possibly, but it depends on your situation. One of the biggest tax benefits of marriage is the ability to file a joint tax return, which may make it easier to qualify for certain deductions and credits. Married couples who file jointly also receive a larger standard deduction than single filers. In some cases, combining incomes can even place a couple in a lower tax bracket. However, not every couple will see a lower tax bill, and some may experience what's known as the "marriage tax penalty," where combined income results in higher taxes.

What tax benefits can we get as a married couple?

Marriage can unlock several tax advantages. Married couples can file jointly, which generally provides a larger standard deduction and easier access to certain tax credits and deductions. Other potential benefits include a higher capital gains exclusion when selling a primary residence, the ability to contribute to a spousal IRA for a nonworking spouse, access to a spouse's workplace benefits (such as health insurance and HSAs), and favorable estate tax treatment for assets passed between spouses. The specific benefits available to you will depend on your income, assets, and overall financial situation.

When should married couples file separately?

While filing jointly often provides the greatest tax benefits, there are situations where filing separately may make sense. For example, one spouse may have substantial medical expenses or certain deductions that are easier to claim based on individual income. Some couples also choose to file separately when they want to keep their tax liabilities separate or when one spouse has concerns about the accuracy of the other's tax return. Because the rules can be complex and outcomes vary by household, it's important to compare both filing options, or consult a tax professional before deciding.

This publication is not intended as legal or tax advice. Northwestern Mutual and its Financial Representatives do not give legal or tax advice. Taxpayers should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.