Filing status affects tax calculations and certain credits. Common statuses include Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er) in some systems. Each status has practical implications: who can claim dependents, which deductions and credits you qualify for, and sometimes the tax rate schedule used. Choosing the wrong filing status is a typical mistake that can change the tax outcome or cause processing delays. This question targets the basic consequence of electing Married Filing Separately compared with Married Filing Jointly in a general sense.