MFJ with two separate businesses -- on for each spouse. Looking for current instructions

[stynen]

Hola!!  Thanks in advance for your help!!  

Last night we royally screwed up our tax return and filed it.  When spouse #2 was added to the return, there were no prompts asking if the spouse works or anything.  We thought he would start entering his numbers for his business on his own TT.  (We used to file MFS).  Then both of our business' information would be combined on the MFJ.  Anyway, my return without his income was accepted and his was rejected.  

It would have been nice if TT asked a couple questions about my spouse when I entered his personal info on the return... like does he work?  

Questions-- when can I amend?  and where on TT do we enter the second schedule C?

Thanks!!

[AnnetteB6]

You should wait until your first return has been fully processed before you amend.  So, if you are expecting a refund, wait until it has been received.  If you have a balance due, give it a couple of weeks before amending so that your amended return will be filed before the April 15th deadline.  

You will enter the second Schedule C in the same section as where the first one was added.  There should be an option to add another Schedule C or another business when you revisit that section after starting the amended return.  Just be sure to indicate that the second business belongs to your spouse when you begin the process of entering the information.

Here is a reference for how to amend your return:

How do I amend my federal tax return for this year?
 

[xmasbaby0]

Sounds like the two of you did not understand how to prepare a joint return.   When you file a joint return there is only ONE tax return that all of your combined information and combined income on that ONE Form 1040; there is no "his" and "hers" to the return.   ONE tax return.   Only one of your accounts should have been used.  

Since you already e-filed without some of the income, you will have to wait for the return to be fully processed and then amend it to include the other income and the Schedule C for that income. Wait for the first return to be fully processed.  Amending too soon can cause confusion and long delays.