My new spouse already and mistakenly electronically filed a 2019 tax return (not with Turbo Tax), can I file a new amended 2019 tax return with Turbo Tax? If so, How?

[xmasbaby0]

Please explain in more detail what happened.  Did your new spouse file as married filing separately or married filing jointly?  What is it that you want to change?  Did your spouse mess up and use the wrong filing status--or not include all of the income---what?  

Tell us more so we can advise what you can do--or if you need to do anything.

[mannotti]

My new spouse, who had never been married before, filed (married filing separate) early, mistakenly, and without my knowledge. She did not file through TurboTax. I have informed her of the tax advantages and that we need to re-file married filing jointly and she agrees. I tried to file an amended tax return (1040X) in Turbo Tax but because (I think) we did not initially file with Turbo Tax, that we cannot file an amended tax return. Is this true? Is there a way to file an amended 2019 tax return in Turbo Tax if the initial file was with someone else? 

[Critter]

You should amend her return using the program that she used to file ... why are you not doing that ?

Using TT to amend a return not filed with the program originally  is not only costly but also complicated. 

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Since your spouse's return has already been filed and is being processed, it is her return that will have to be amended to a joint return.  So use whatever tax software she used for that MFS return to prepare a Form 1040X that changes it to a joint return.    

If you did not use TurboTax to prepare your 2019 return, it is possible to amend the return using TurboTax but it will really be a pain.  It would be better to use the software or service used to file originally.  If a paid preparer made a mistake on your tax return, that tax preparer should do the amended return for you at no charge.

In order to use TurboTax to amend your 2019return, you need to purchase the desktop software for 2019 and re-create the return EXACTLY as it appeared when it was filed with the IRS/states.  Every line has to be the same.  Then you have to "trick" the software into thinking you filed by saying you will mail the return. (but do not mail it)   AFTER that, you use the software to prepare a Form 1040X, which has to be printed, signed and mailed to the IRS.  It takes the IRS about 3-4 months to process an amended return.

If you want to try this using TurboTax ---get the desktop software  (CD/download)  which has Forms mode.  That way you can see the forms and have direct access to them (you do not have that with online TT)---it would be easier to re-create a tax return with access to Forms.  

[mannotti]

The main reason I wanted to use Turbo Tax to file the amended tax return is because I had already spent hours entering all our information into TurboTax before learning that my wife had already filed about a month ago.  It appears that the easiest method would be to use the same program she used, reenter all our correct information, and file an amended tax return through the initial tax preparation program.  Thank you for answering my questions.