Can I amend my return to married filing separately?

[VolvoGirl]

No the second person does not have to wait for the other amended return to process since they will have to mail their return anyway.

[HGMITCH]

@VolvoGirl In speaking with the IRS, that was their recommended path forward to me. I was told that the primary taxpayer has to mail in their amended return because you cannot e-File an amended return with a change of status. The secondary taxpayer is filing a new return as MFS, so they can e-File, they don’t have to mail it in. It was explained to me like this, if the secondary taxpayer’s return is processed before the primary taxpayer’s amended is, it will be rejected. The primary taxpayer’s amended return must be filed and processed first, only then can the return of secondary taxpayer filing as MFS be accepted.   

I found conflicting information in threads like this one on the Internet, and from speaking with multiple reps when calling into TurboTax's customer service lines. This is why I called the IRS directly through their toll-free number. Surprisingly the wait to reach a human was only like ten minutes and I was then able to work through my personal situation with them. If there is any doubt, give them a call.

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

[macuser_22]

Unfortunately whoever told you that does not understand how the IRS e-file computer works or has out of date information..   One a SSN has been used it will NOT get reset until next tax season for ANY reason.  That is to prevent ID theft and fraud - they used to reset after amending but that policy was changed about 3 years ago.

Not that it would make much difference anyway because an amended return will take about 6 months or longer to process.   (Normally take about 3-4 months but because of COVID and millions of unprocessed tax returns they are taking 6 months or longer now.)   Amend now but do not expect for it to be processed before October.

[VolvoGirl]

@HGMITCH   Did you efile or mail the first Joint return?  If you efiled it and it was Accepted then both ssn have been entered into the IRS database and you can't efile it again.  Go ahead and try to efile the second MFS return.  If it rejects then you will know you have to mail it.

[Sharleenoheir]

Can I file an amended return for 2019 and claim HOH If I originally filed Married filing jointly and claim Innocent spouse 

[xmasbaby0]

@Sharleenoheir It is too late to amend a 2019 return in order to get a better refund.   The deadline to amend a 2019 return to seek a better refund has passed---more than a year ago.