We are amending to file married but seperate. Do I need to delet my spouse info from turbo tax so they can start a new one

[nancijd]

amending to file married and separately, do I need to have my spouse to do their own turbo tax

[xmasbaby0]

You will not be allowed to submit a return that amends from married filing jointly to married filing separately after the filing deadline on April 15--just so you know. 

If you are amending to MFS, you have to file TWO returns--one for each spouse.   One of you can use the original joint return and change it to MFS; the other one must create and file their own MFS return.  And of course you both have to follow the rules for MFS.   If one of you itemizes deductions, both must itemize; or if one uses standard deduction, the other must also use standard deduction.  It cannot be one of each.

If you are in a community property state, it will get extra tricky.

Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI

HOW TO AMEND FROM MFJ TO MFS OR FROM MFS TO MFJ

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/small-business-processes/switch-filing-j...

[xmasbaby0]

If you were legally married at the end of 2025 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately when you prepare your 2025 return.

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 $31,500 (+ $1600 for each spouse 65 or older)  for 2025. 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 disadvantages of filing separately include: 

You cannot get earned income credit, 

You cannot get education credits or deductions for student loan interest. 

You cannot get the childcare credit

You have a lower amount of income on which to base the refundable additional child tax credit

85% of your Social Security benefits will be taxable even with no other income 

The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be limited.

Capital loss deduction is less than if you file jointly

You cannot get the $6000 senior deduction

You cannot get the deductions for overtime or tips

 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) and your returns become very complicated.

 If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice since with online, you get one return per fee.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/marriage/should-you-and-your-spouse-file-taxes-jointly-or-separ...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/income/getting-married-mean-taxes/L2Rgma...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/taxation/married-filing-separately-commu...