Can I amend my 2023 return to change filing status to married filing separately after the IRS has already accepted my return as Married filing jointly?

[mattrandolph2821]

I attempted to amend my return on Turbo Tax but at the end it calculated the taxes owed over double of that filing jointly. We didn't have any special circumstances and only claimed the standard deductions. Is it possible that I did something wrong or is that common?

[Mike9241]

yes but you must let the joint return be fully processed. 

while it's possible you entered something incorrectly in the MFS return having a larger tax bill when using this filing status is common.   certain credits are lost and certain retirement contributions are restricted.  you would also expect to see a large increase if your spouse had very little income  and the standard deduction was used

examples

filing joint

H - 50K income  s-10K income total 60K

std deduction say $28k (rounded) 

taxable 32K

tax 3400

filing MFS

H - 50K

std deduction $14K

taxable $36K

tax 4100

you would need to compare line by line the joint and your mfs returns to see what's happening. 

[VolvoGirl]

And you can only amend a Joint return to MFS until the due date April 15, 2024.  But why do you want to switch to Separate returns?   Unless you have a specific reason to file separate returns,

It is usually better to file Joint. Joint has the lowest tax rates and the highest Standard Deduction. And if you are in a Community Property state MFS gets tricky to figure out. Here's some things to consider about filing separately……

In the first place you each have to file a separate return, so that's two returns. And if you are using the Online version that means using 2 accounts and paying the fees twice.

Many people think they come out better when filing Married Filing Separate but they are probably doing it wrong. If one person itemizes deductions then the other one must itemize too, even if it's less than the standard deduction, even if it is ZERO!

And there are several credits you can't take when filing separately, like the

EITC Earned Income Tax Credit

Child Care Credit

Educational Deductions and Credits

And contributions to IRA and ROTH IRA are limited when you file MFS.

Also if you file Married Filing Separately up to 85`% of your Social Security becomes taxable right away even with zero other income.

See …….
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/married/help/is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-...