Maintenance requirements -- including minimum balances, monthly fees and account activity -- vary between banks. It’s important for you and your partner to understand the rules of a joint account for you both to create a long-lasting, stable financial relationship. Joint accounts can be established for any two people, as long as the documentation required by the financial institution is submitted. Every aspect of starting, owning and maintaining a joint account is governed by strict guidelines. If the bank pays the transaction on your behalf, the account balance will go negative and you could incur an overdraft fee. A few things to consider: If one of the account holders has unpaid debt, the funds in your joint account may be used to pay that debt; You're responsible for all account fees, including any fees (like overdraft fees) incurred by other joint account holders Both you will receive a Form 1099 and both social security numbers will be recorded as well. Rules for a Joint Account. Joint accounts are commonly opened by close relatives (such as by a married couple) or by business partners, but it can be used in other circumstances, such as by a club committee. A joint account is a bank account that has been opened by two or more individuals or entities. Since this is a joint account, both account holders will be asked for their tax identification number, therefore, both parties will be subject to taxes for income earned in the account. Prevent penalties: Closing a joint bank account prevents the co-owner from using the account irresponsibly and incurring overdraft and other fees. Joint bank accounts aren’t for everyone, and the rules for how your money is handled in the event of death or divorce vary depending on the type of joint account you open and your state’s laws. Joint accounts can be set up for different uses or directed to specific beneficiaries upon the death of both tenants. The rules for each of these accounts vary from state to state, so you'll want to check with your own state laws to ensure that they work the way you want. If you leave the account, the co-owner could try to spend money in excess of the balance. According an RBI notification, in case of death of one of the joint account holders, the survivor will hold the money only as a trustee of the legal heirs unless she herself is the legal heir.