I need to amend my 2019 filing status from Single to Married (MFS). My return was accepted by IRS today.

[Spenceyarborough]

I feel like a moron. I filed as single (having never been married before). I got married in April of 2019. I need to amend my return. It was accepted by IRS today. In reading other articles it is recommended to wait and file an amended return using 1040X AFTER you’ve received your refund/or your tax payment is cleared. I am due a refund.

3 questions, when can I amend my return and when will Form 1040X be available to do so?

Lastly, I submitted a mortgage loan application last Friday, 1.10.20. Will this affect my lender processing my loan? (They request copies of tax returns and 4506-T). My fear is when they notice I filed as Single. My spouse is not filing until after we close on the home.

[xmasbaby0]

Did you really click that big orange button that said “Transmit my return now?”  If you did that, you cannot do anything to fix it yet.  The IRS will begin to accept/reject 2019 returns on January 27.  You have to wait for the email that tells you if your return was accepted or rejected.

Filing before you have all of your information causes you a lot of aggravation that could be avoided if you just wait until you have everything first and then take your time preparing your return so you do not mess it up because of a rush to get a refund.

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

If you left out a W-2, 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 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. You cannot e-file an amended return.  They have to be mailed, and it takes at least 2-4 months for the IRS to process an amended return.  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

[Spenceyarborough]

@xmasbaby0 This response is not helpful and does not address my question nor concerns. 

[xmasbaby0]

If you were emailed that your return was accepted today, then your return must have been in the small test batch that the IRS takes in early.  You cannot amend your return until it has been fully processed by the IRS.  That will take about three weeks or longer--if you are getting earned income credit or additional child tax credit it will take even longer, and your refund will not come until late February/early March.   The Form 1040X typically becomes available no sooner than mid-February--or later.   Form 1040X has to be printed, signed and mailed; it takes about 4 months for the IRS to process it.

As for what the lender will have to say, we cannot guess.  It seems odd that a lender would want your 2019 return in January  of 2020.     Usually they want to see returns from the two previous years.

[xmasbaby0]

And... you did not ask about this, but since you are newly married, why are you and your spouse filing separate returns?  Do the two of you understand the difference between filing jointly and filing separately?  You lose a lot of credits when you file separate returns.

If you were legally married at the end of 2019 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.

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

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...