Under the IRS wording, "a spouse filing MFS must itemize if the other spouse itemizes." That gives the itemizing spouse control in this situation. However, the non-itemizing spouse is only controlled if they also file MFS. If they file HOH, they are a controller but are not controlled.
•If spouse 1 files MFS and itemizes, and spouse 2 files MFS, spouse 2 must itemize.
•If spouse 1 files MFS and uses standard, and spouse 2 files MFS and itemizes, the IRS will send a correction notice to spouse 1 telling them they must also itemize.
•If spouse 1 files HOH and itemizes, spouse 2 files MFS and must itemize. If spouse 2 uses the standard deduction, the IRS will require them to correct their return to itemized.
•If spouse 1 files HOH and uses the standard deduction, spouse 2 files MFS and may either use the standard or itemize. The IRS will not force spouse #1 to itemize if spouse 2 itemizes.
So here, user cc2375 is free to itemize if that is best for him. It will not affect his wife's return regardless of which deduction she claimed.
cc2375, did you ask this question because you want to know where to document this on your tax return...
Or, are you trying to itemize but the program won't let you? If Turbotax will only allow you to ite...
