Spouse filed incorrect filing Status in 2019, do we need to complete the entirety of Amended return or just the status portion + Explanation of changes?

[fearvier]

Hi,

Today as we were reviewing our tax forms we discovered that her filing status for 2019 is "Single" instead of MFS which we were originally going for. (We filed MFS partially because I have a small business and she is regular W2 employee and we didn't want to potentially have delays in her tax return in case mine got delayed- which it did. She got her return in like three weeks while mine took about 2 months).

In any case, we think it might be due to the fact that she just imported her profile from previous years from the tax filing website she used and just entered W2 data and left her original profile unchanged. Our mistake that we didn't review it before e-filing.

She doesn't owe any taxes or anything (but I did about $200), and we aren't claiming/deducting anything else. We also recently moved. She made about $15k in 2019. So, my questions are.

1. Do we just enter our new address + MFS status change on top portion of 1040X, alongside PART III where Explanation of changes is needed? Do we just explain there that it was because of our ignorance to double check while e-filing?
2. IF we're filing her status as MFS, Do we also have to fill out the entirety of 1040X with income and deductions (We don't have the 1040 at hand but we do have the transcripts from IRS website?
3. Theoretically, since we're amending her return anyway, would be better for us to just use my return and amend it to a Married Filing Jointly return instead of a MFS? Is that even possible?

I'd appreciate any pointers. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

first I'm surprised that the IRS did not catch the Single filing status on her return. from your return they should have noted the error on her return. do use your current address. you may want to call the IRS to make sure then don't have a correction notice in process or maybe mailed it to your old address which then was not forwarded. if they do ask them for the steps to take if you are going to change to MFJ. if you're going to stick with MFS then take steps to update the address so you get the notice and probably an additional refund.

MFJ may be better than two MFS returns 

here are the steps and what the IRS says

1. Print a copy of both separate returns that were filed and accepted by the IRS and/or state.
2. Select one of the two returns to amend, and enter the data for the other spouse into that return in the TT program.
3. Print the combined return and carefully compare it to each of the separate returns to ensure ALL information has been combined on the amended return.
4. Complete the amendment  explaining the change 
5. Submit a copy of both original Federal returns with the amendment (Form 1040X) as this will help the IRS to track the combining of those two returns.

[fearvier]

Thanks!

So question. Do we amend her return (the one that was filed wrong) or do we amend mine (MFS) to add her for a joint return?