Question:
How would a couple calculate Zakat on a joint account?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Primarily, each spouse is responsible to calculate and pay their own Zakāt. However, one spouse may pay Zakāt on behalf of the other.
If the current share of one spouse in the balance can be determined on their Zakāt paying day, the spouse will be responsible to pay Zakāt on that amount. He/she will add her share of the balance to one’s total gross assets when calculating Zakāt. However, if each spouses’ current share cannot be determined, a husband and wife may treat the balance co-owned equally. Thus, each spouse will be responsible to pay Zakāt on 50% of the balance.[1]
And Allah Ta’ālā Alone Knows Best
Mufti Faraz Adam
www.darulfiqh.com