Changing filing status

[jhummer1963]

I already filed our 2019 taxes as married filing joint.  Can I amend my return to file as married separately

[DonnaLO]

Do not amend until you have determined if the IRS accepted or rejected the return.  If accepted wait until either you have received your refund or any payment you have made to the IRS has cleared.  If rejected you may go ahead and make the needed changes (do not amend).  

You will be able to amend as soon as Form 1040X becomes available.  At this time the expected date of availability for the form 1040X is

02/27/2020 , however that date is subject to change.  You can track it's availability by going to the following link.

https://care-cdn.prodsupportsite.a.intuit.com/forms-availability/turbotax_fed_online_individual.html

Do I need to amend?

How do I amend my 2019 TurboTax Online return?

[JoanThom70]

It was rejected. Can I still change from Married Filling Jointly to Married Filling Separately?

[xmasbaby0]

It rejected?   You can still change it if you really want to ---why do you want to file separate returns--usually the worst way to file?

It will require that you prepare TWO returns ---one for each of you.

If you were legally married at the end of 2019 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.

Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $24,400 (+$1300 for each spouse 65 or older)  You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit.

If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return. Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)

If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901162-married-filing-separately-in-community-property-states

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...