Unable to file amended return for spouse

[RJCTMC97]

We originally filed with the status of Married Filing Jointly.  The return was accepted by the IRS.  We are now filing an Amended return and changing the filing status to Married Filing Separately.  I should mention that when we filed my information was first on the return.  I open the original accepted return, and make the appropriate changes removing my spouse.  TurboTax will let me file this amended return.  However when I do the same thing for my spouse, i.e. remove my information,  Turbo Tax states it has to be mailed because it appears the original return was not filed with Turbo Tax.   I assume it is because I was named first on the original return, and now I am not. Is there any way around this?

[ToddL99]

Please clarify - are you using an online version of TurboTax?

[RJCTMC97]

My apologies - Desktop Deluxe.

[macuser_22 · Accepted solution]

You only amend the return for the taxpayer listed first on the joint return.       The spouse (2nd person listed) files a new original separate return.    

(Amending the joint return removes the spouse as if the spouse has not filed at all.)

[Mckruiz111]

I need to amend my taxes to include 1099 R

my spouse is first on our tax returns

so I would need to file a completely new return on my own account??

[VolvoGirl]

No.  You amend the Joint return to add the new 1099R.   So you use his account.

You should not amend until the first return has fully processed and you get the first refund or your tax due payment has cleared.  

You can find Amend under

Federal Taxes or Personal (for Home & Business)

Other Tax Situations

How to Amend this year

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/amend-federal-tax-return-curr...

[Mckruiz111]

Ok, I did that and the return is only showing my spouses information. It has my income but doesn’t list my name anywhere

[VolvoGirl]

On the 1040X?   The second line should be your name.   Was his first original return filed as Joint or Married filing Separate or Single?  Is your name on the original return?   Or did you file a separate return for yourself?  

[Mckruiz111]

My name is not under his on that forum.

We filed married joint and my name is on the original return.

[VolvoGirl]

Where?  “….on that forum”?  You  need to amend the original return wherever it was done, probably in his account.   Or did you use your account to do the Joint return?   You should be using 1 account for Joint and ignore the other account.   

[Mckruiz111]

I used the same account. all of my income is listed and accounted for on the amended return.. just my name is missing 

[Mckruiz111]

On the 1040X.. my name is not below his.

[Mckruiz111]

Would it make a difference if he filed head of household?

[VolvoGirl]

Yes!   If you live together he can’t file Head of Household.  You might need to amend the whole return.  If you lived apart the last 6 Months of the year and he claims a child he might qualify for Head of Household but your income shouldn’t be on it.  And you would need to file your own return as MFS or Head of Household if you also have a child.   And he can’t claim you as a dependent.   Oh what state are you in?  There are several Community Property states that have special rules when you file Married filing Separate.   

[Mckruiz111]

Yeah I think that may be what it is.. the original return was filed joint and the amendment was filed as head of household.