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Get your taxes done using TurboTax
@nupur85 ,
Great question!
There is no precise way to do this, because everything on a married joint return is calculated together. One solution is to prepare two married filing separate returns, figure out refunds based on that, and then apportion the actual refund based on that percentage. Or do the same for two single returns. Example: Married joint return has refund of $1400. Your MFS return has refund of $1200. His MFS return has refund of $100. You claim 12/13 of $1400; he claims 1/13.
If you already created a joint return in the TurboTax CD/Download software, there's a quick way to see how filing separately affects your federal return.
Note: This won't work in TurboTax Online.
- Open your return and select Forms in the top right corner of the window.
- Click Open Form and type What-If Worksheet (it may appear as What-If Wks).
- Check the MFJ vs. MFS box at the top.
- Scroll down to Balance Due (Refund) located under Line 74.
- The second column shows the federal outcome for a joint return, and the third and fourth columns, respectively, show the outcome for the taxpayer and spouse if filing separately.
- Negative numbers are refunds, positive numbers are taxes due.
However, this doesn't give you the whole picture because it doesn't account for your state return. For a true apples to apples comparison, you'll need to prepare your returns both ways.
You may want to discuss this with your spouse in order to decide how to manage the refund.
I hope this helps!
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