Re-File 2018 as Joint/Married?

[shane82388]

In 2018 me and my wife got married. She had filed taxes for that year as single and I have yet to file that years taxes (working on it now). Subsequently, she received a big bill for this apparent error and we need to re-file as married to correct the situation apparently.

I'm wondering what the correct way to go about this is? I bought the Turbotax 2018 Home & Business software and have done my self-employed businesses portion so far. (this is what I've used in years prior)

When it gets to the Personal tab I'm assuming I will just enter her W-2 income info etc as the software asks for it and we will just send in this new (joint) tax return and that will essentially "correct" the previous return that was erroneously filed as single?

Is there anything else that needs to be done to fix this situation correctly?

Thank you for any advice!

[Vika K]

Unfortunately, its not that simple.  Since your wife already filled a return, she needs to amend. In order to do that, you need first have her return in the system.  If there is no tax file to upload, you will need to re-create her return. Then you will need to amend it. and in amendment part, you will enter your self- employment information and in personal - add you, and change from single to married. I know you probably have done a lot in regards to your business, but its how you would do it. 

[macuser_22]

It is a bit (way!) more complicated that.

You must start with your spouses original tax return as filed,  and *amend* that to joint and then add *your* information to that amended return. 

You cannot just file a *new* 2018 tax return as joint.

The same for 2019.

You might want to see a tax professional since there might be a lot of back tax that a professional can possibly mitigate.

[shane82388]

Thanks for the replies - very helpful!