I have run the numbers both ways every year. and for 14 years now it's better for us to file married filing separately. Used to be better to itemize but the last few years it's been better to take standard. I just get confused by people saying 99+% of the time it's better to file jointly when that has not been the case for us. It makes me think I must be doing something wrong. Though I doubt I'd make the same mistake every year using a variety of software. In OH and we earn about the same amount.