I filed married separate for my spouse. I haven't filed my return yet and I need to amend her return to do married joint for us. How do I need to do this?

[natethegreat1000]

I submitted her return before starting mine later that day and found out our return would be much higher filing joint. I submitted hers already, but not mine. What do I need to do to amend hers to include a married joint return for us?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

You have to wait for her return to be processed and then amend hers to change it to a joint return.  If you try to submit a joint return right now, it will just be rejected because she has already filed and her SSN has been used.  Wait until her return has been fully processed, and the refund has come in.  THEN prepare a 1040X for her return and make it a joint return will ALL of your income etc. on it.  

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894381-how-to-amend-change-or-correct-a-return-you-already-filed?...

A 1040X cannot be e-filed.  It must be printed and mailed.  It will take about 3-4 months for the IRS to process an amended return.  It is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it, like UPS or certified mail, so you will know it was received.

Wait about 3 weeks from mailing and you can check the status of your amended return:

https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1

https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/amended-returns-form-1040-x/amended-return-frequently-asked-q...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908543-do-i-need-to-amend

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2566895-what-does-it-mean-to-amend-a-return

[natethegreat1000]

Thank you for the info.

[xmasbaby0]

You are welcome.