Amending 2018 married filing separately to married filing jointly BUT......

[allenm]

My wife filed her 2018 return as MFS, I did not yet file a return. I wish to now file MFJ which would necessitate amending my wife's return from MFS to MFJ. It appears that I would need to amend my wife's return to MFJ and add all of my info + income etc....to the amended return and mail. Can anyone/everyone please confirm? Thanks.  

[xmasbaby0]

Yes -- in order for you to change to a joint return what you must do is amend your spouse's return to a joint return for the two of you.  That is the ONLY return you will file--you will not file any other return.  The amended return will be the joint return for you.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894381-how-to-amend-change-or-correct-a-return-you-already-filed?...

A 1040X cannot be e-filed.  It must be printed, signed by both of you, and mailed.  It will take about 3-4 months for the IRS to process an amended return.  It is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it, like UPS or certified mail, so you will know it was received.

Wait about 3 weeks from mailing and you can check the status of your amended return:

https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1

https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/amended-returns-form-1040-x/amended-return-frequently-asked-q...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908543-do-i-need-to-amend

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2566895-what-does-it-mean-to-amend-a-return

[allenm]

Thanks for your response. I had completed my 2018 individual return but did not file it. Is it possible to transfer all of my data to the amended return or do I need to input everything again?

[VolvoGirl]

You will have to manually enter all your info to her amended return.  Sorry.

[allenm]

i am amending as per instructions but our Federal taxes are not being reduced at all when entering charitable donations - no matter the amount. State taxes are being reduced but not Federal. I believe that donations + mortgage interest + state taxes + real estate taxes make itemizing deductions the way for us to go. Any idea? Thanks 

[allenm]

actually just noticed federal return is not recognizing the itemized deductions at all. no matter what value i enter into mortgage interest or charitable contributions the value stays the same. when i hover over the federal tax due amount i can see the standard deduction is always taken. 

[xmasbaby0]

@allenm

STANDARD DEDUCTION

Many taxpayers are surprised this year  when they prepare their 2018 returns because their itemized deductions are not having the same effect as they did on past tax returns.  The new higher standard deduction and the elimination of certain deductions, as well as the $10,000 cap on state and local taxes  (SALT)  have had a major impact.

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund.  The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting  tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach.  The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you.  Under the new tax laws, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes.

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income.  It is not a refund 

2018 Standard Deductions:

Single   $12,000  (+ $1600 65 or older)

Married Filing Separately    $12,000  (+ $1300 65 or older)

Married Filing Jointly  $24,000  (+ $1300 each spouse 65 or older)

Head of Household  $18,000  (+ $1600 65 or older)

Look at line 8 of your Form 1040 to see your standard or itemized deductions.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4482873-which-federal-tax-deductions-have-been-suspended-by-tax-re...

[allenm]

yes i am aware, my itemized deductions exceed the standard deductions

[xmasbaby0]

Sadly, many people add up the raw amounts of their itemized deductions without considering the thresholds that must be met for some of them, and again, there is a $10,000 limit on state and local taxes that many still do not understand.  But if you want to see what it would look like if you use your itemized deductions instead of the standard deduction:

HOW TO FORCE ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900142-how-do-i-change-from-the-standard-deduction-to-itemized-or...

[VolvoGirl]

Are you using the Desktop program?

If it's giving you the Standard Deduction and  not showing you Schedule A you can check it 4 ways.

1 You can switch to Forms Mode and open A from the top of the left column Open Form and pick schedule A out of the list on the right side.

2 The easiest way is to go up to Show Topic List on the top bar and scroll down the list to

Standard Deduction vs Itemized Deductions

That takes you directly to the

The Standard [or Itemized] Deduction is Right for You screen

3 You can check the actual amount of itemized deductions by going up to Search and type in

itemized deductions, choosing

Then click on Jump to itemized deductions

Click on "Change my deduction.

4 OR go up to Federal (Personal for H&B)

Deductions and Credits

Click on Done with Deductions at bottom

Continue on though 3 screens and you will get to the Standard Deduction is right for You screen

That will display the actual amount of itemized deductions vs. the standard deduction.    (Be sure to uncheck "Change my deduction" after checking it so you do not lock in the wrong deduction.

You are probably being limited by SALT.  SALT is State And Local Tax.  Which includes property tax, any state tax paid like for last year’s return and includes any state withholding from your W2s and any 1099s you have.  And any taxes in W2 box 14 and 19 like SDI or VDI.  You can only deduct up to 10,000 (5,000 MFS) for SALT State and Local Taxes.

And Deductions for job expenses have been suspended with the new tax act.  See Deductions that have been suspended for 2018

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-reform/help/which-federal-tax-deductions-have-been-suspended-b...

FAQ on 2018 changes

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-reform/help/how-will-tax-reform-affect-my-federal-tax-return/0...

[allenm]

Thank you xmasbaby0 and volvogirl for your instructions on how to force itemized deductions. i can rest easy now!