Real-life scenarios help solidify filing choices. Imagine Sara married midyear and both partners earn wages. Some people think they must file separately because the marriage happened partway through the year; others assume joint filing is automatic. In many systems, married couples often have the option to file jointly for the entire tax year even if marriage occurred late in the year; this can simplify paperwork and sometimes produce lower combined tax. The choice depends on circumstances (liability sharing, income gaps, or special situations). This question checks the typical option available to a couple who married during the tax year.