Amending Filing Status

[jmansdad]

My wife and I filed MFS for 2020, both returns have been accepted.. We will be amending to MFJ when the 1040X is available. We have received a refund for one of the returns and need to make a payment for the other. How are these reflected on the 1040X?

[KathrynG3 · Accepted solution]

In general, the payment and the refund will not be combined. You only amend one of the returns. The IRS disregards the second one when the returns are amended to Married Filing Jointly. TurboTax will walk you through this process. 

For more information, see: How do I amend Married Filing Separately returns to Married Filing Jointly?

[jmansdad]

Thank you!

[cyclotron]

We live in California and are am amending from MFS to MFT.

I have followed these instructions  and entered the taxes we both paid in the 'Original Return Payment Smart Worksheet'.  I understand these are for the Federal return. 

What do I need to do for the State return? Where do I enter the combined taxes that we both paid to California? 

[jmansdad]

I am a resident of Pennsylvania so I can't help with California; however, I did file a joint 1040X for 2020 and would highly advise against doing so if at all possible. It has been a nightmare. Our 1040X is still awaiting processing and the IRS has placed my wife in collection for the balance on her MFS return, even though all the taxes were paid with the 1040X. Good luck!

[RobertB4444]

@cyclotron  You will enter the combined amount as the 'amount paid with original return.'

Also, amendments that change your filing status have to be mailed in.  Expect this amended return to take a minimum of six months to process.

[cyclotron]

Thank you Robert.

Turbotax is allowing me to e-file the amended return. Perhaps it will give me an error after I try to submit.

[KatrinaLO]

Have you tried to submit your return yet? I certainly hope you don't have any issues with the submission. Let us know if you need further assistance. Please see the following information here for contacting customer service.