Pay the mortgage off last.

But there are occasions when separate filings make more sense. For example, when one taxpayer has lot of itemized deductions and the other taxpayer has very little income.

People get very nervous they won't spend the money.

People have heard about [various tax breaks] and don't truly understand how they work in terms of dollars.

This is a conversation I have with clients all the time.

In order to really fix it, it becomes very complicated. They need special rules for two working spouses.