Did you mean to file a joint return or to file married filing separately? If you meant to file a joint return, then your own W-2 should have been on that return. ALL of a married couple's income information belongs on that ONE joint return. Before you do anything else, you need to be clear with your spouse about what he filed and how. If he said on the return that it was a joint return it will have to be amended.
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 each receive the $4000 personal exemption, plus the married filing jointly standard deduction of $12,600 (add $1250 for each spouse over the age of 65). 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, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. If you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice.
If your husband filed your taxes married filing jointly then no, you cannot file the W-2 on your own. He will need to amend the return using form 1040X to add the W-2 that was missed.
If he filed the return married filing separately, then yes, you can file your own return to report your W-2 income.
Can I file my taxes as married but not put my spouses w2s on this year, and file 2 years for the next year?
@jholler213 No
you cannot do that. Each tax year is separate. You cannot put 2019 income on a 2020 return next year. Each tax year's income has to be filed on the form for the year in which the income was actually received.
If you were legally married in 2019, your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.
If you file separate returns- - - you each have to list each other's SSN's and some other information on your own tax return. The IRS can then cross check to make sure you are not "double dipping" for itemized deductions, dependents, etc.
If you are in a community property state, there is more information that will be needed.
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
Community property states: AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI
No, taxes are filed by year and you have to file ALL income of both spouses on this year's return. You must include all your and your spouse's forms W-2 on this year's tax return.
Please have someone contact me. I need to send IRS a notification before they make a decision on my taxes. It’s pending approval.
@kris10c88 This is the user forum. We do not arrange for anyone to contact you. What are you trying to do?
"It's pending approval.."
My best guess---you already e-filed and your 2023 return has a mistake?
Did you click that big orange button that said “Transmit my return now?” If you did that, you cannot do anything to fix it yet. You have to wait for the email that tells you if your return was accepted or rejected. The IRS will begin to accept/reject e-files on January 29, so your email will come on or after 1-29.
You cannot change or add anything on the return that you just e-filed, nor can you stop it. It is too late, just like when you put an envelope in a US mailbox on the corner. The IRS does not allow you to take it back.
If you left out a W-2, a 1099G, or a dependent, or a 1099 etc…DO NOT change your return while it is “pending.” The changes will go nowhere.
Now you have to wait until the IRS either rejects or accepts your return. If your return is rejected, you will be able to go into your account and make the necessary changes to your tax return and re-submit your return.
If the IRS accepts your return, however, then you have to wait longer until it has been fully processed and you have received your refund. THEN you can prepare an amended tax return and e-file or mail it in. You have to be able to work from that return exactly the way it was when it was e-filed originally. You will need to use a form called a 1040X.
Meanwhile, DO NOT go in and start changing anything on your return in the system, or you will make a mess for yourself. Sit tight and wait until you see what the IRS does with the return you just e-filed