turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

Fiancé filed married filing joint. We’re in CA & not legally married. Advisor said it was fine but everywhere i read it says it’s not. Does an amendment need to be done?

He works, I’m home with children. Advisor said as long as we prove we’ve been together all these years it’s okay. But CA does not recognize common law marriage. And all other paperwork we do we say were single, because legally we are. 

x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

1 Reply

Fiancé filed married filing joint. We’re in CA & not legally married. Advisor said it was fine but everywhere i read it says it’s not. Does an amendment need to be done?

That is correct - CA does not recognize common law marriage - you need a new advisor.

If not married as of the last day of the year, then you can only file single or head-of-household if you qualify.

Unfortunately this is not a simple matter of amending because the tax law does not allow changing a joint return after the April 15 due date - the IRS must declare the joint return a "invalid joint" return.   This is not a do-it-yourself matter.  See this excellent answer by rjs when this came up last year. (The answer was about divorced persons but the procedure is the same for persons never married).

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/6972240



**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**
message box icon

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question
Manage cookies