How to prevent my soon to be ex husband from filing a joint return on my behalf

[leeland2024]

My soon-to-be ex-husband has the login information from our previous tax returns stored on TaxTurbo.  He informed me that he opened my 2023 W-2 and is going to file a joint return. I made it clear to him that  I am filing separately.  How can I ensure that he is not permitted to file a joint return with me?

[Bsch4477]

You can’t stop him but he would be committing a crime. All can do is submit your return which you might have to mail if he filed first. The IRS will sort it out. You can also notify the IRS and tell your attorney. A family law judge would not look on his actions kindly. Document that he does not have your permission to file jointly. 

[DavidD66]

If you electronically file (e-file) your Married Filing Separate tax return before he files a joint, he will not be able to e-file the return.  He could still print and mail a joint return, but the IRS would investigate since you would have already filed a separate return.  You can also threaten him with legal action if file a joint return.  The filing of a joint return requires the signature of both spouses.  If he files a joint return it will require him to sign for you, whether done via mail or electronically.