FAQ: How do marriage, divorce, and kids affect income taxes? 

Main Objective: Teach you how to navigate the tax implications of marriage, divorce, and children, focusing on filing status, dependency claims, and maximizing credits for the 2025 tax year.

Description: This episode explores how marriage, divorce, and children influence income tax returns. We cover filing statuses (Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, Qualifying Widow(er)), rules for claiming dependents, and eligibility for credits like the Child Tax Credit ($2,200 per child) and Earned Income Tax Credit (up to $8,046). Topics include alimony (post-2018 rules), child support, property settlements, and handling complex cases like 50/50 custody or international families. We discuss required documentation, audit risks (e.g., missing Form 8332), and effective client interview questions to identify critical life changes. The episode includes practical examples and a Q&A to address common preparer challenges.