How can we amend my wife's MFS return for 2017 with MFJ return for both of us?

[harry347]

My wife filed her 2017 taxes with MFS status and IRS has accepted it. I have not filed mine yet. We now want to file MFJ for both of us. Her tax was filed by a tax preparer and we do not have a turbotax file for her MFS return. How can we amend her MFS return to MFJ return in Turbotax for both us? Can you please provide step by step instructions?

[SteamTrain · Accepted solution]

You are asking something very difficult to do.

1) recreate her MFS tax return.  It must be exact in every box, but you have to enter it all thru the interview, you cannot override anything.

2) Once completed so that it looks exactly like her original MFS tax return you select File By Mail...and complete the filing by printing or saving a copy to PDF  (You DO want a PDF of the original).

3)  Save the file and exit the desktop program completely.

4) Restart and open her file (do not amend yet) Do two "Save As" to two different back-up filenames.  You are doing this so you always have a backup file if you mess up your amendment royally.....always have an unchanged backup file.

5)  Save and shut down again and restart the program....from the Home screen, lower on the page is a button to "Amend a Filed Return" hit that and select the file you are going to amend, and then follow the prompts..

6) When done, you will have to print and mail-file the amended tax returns  (meaning Federal and state, if appropriate).

Warning: Her name is first on that tax file...you are now the spouse.  her name must remain in the first "taxpayer" position. IF you attempt to change it around, her W-2s, and any of her documents will end up with your name on them...some files it doesn't make a difference, but W-2s, 1099-R's and some accounts it is critical..