I understand the general instructions on "How do I amend Married Filing Separately returns to Married Filing Jointly?" located at https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/amending/help/how-do-i-amend-married-filing-separately-returns-to-married-filing-jointly/00/25715.
The issue is that while my wife and I both filed married filing separately returns for 2020, her's was amended due to an error that was made resulting in a refund she was not entitled to. She paid back the money with the amendment.
Otherwise, both returns were about of the same complexity. Neither of us itemized. Which return should we use for amending the married filed separately status to married filing jointly and do you have any other advice in light of one of the returns already being amended? Thanks.
I would amend the amended return. But you can just as well amend yours to add her amended return to your amended return.
A joint return is one return for both of you so you can only amend one separate return. The IRS takes care of the other one since it is simply cancelled. (You cannot create a new joint return twice).
Thank you. I elected to amend my return in Turbotax . With respect to the following instruction found on the Turbotax's (somewhat diffcult to follow) instructions for the 1040-X:
"Open the Original Return Payment Smart Worksheet (if taxes were paid) or the Original Return Overpayment Smart Worksheet (if there was a refund)"
On the 1040X, the I entered the net refund paid to my wife, ie. the amount she orginally received (which was an overpayment to her due to an error) less the amount she paid paid back via the amendment. The net was her actual tax refund. Is that OK?
However I don't know what to enter on the state of CA equivalent of the 1040X, called Schedule X. See below.
My wife had a small net refund after considering the amendment. How should I handle it on the form below? Please indicate line and modification.
Also it does not appear that my wife has to sign the amendment and only my social security number (redacted) is required for the form even though there are two names (redacted)
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One other question - TT says it can electronically file my amended return which is now a joint return. There is a place on the1040x for signatures of myself and my wife. How exactly does that work with electronic filing.
@richard2022 E-filing is closed. You cannot e-file that amended return now. Print it, sign it and mail it in.
When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s. Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.
Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses. Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.