Hi @JotikaT2, I recognize that this chat is (somewhat) old, but I just encountered a similar problem and I need advice from someone knowledgeable (and I'm not sure how to consult with a TurboTax professional by phone). In 2020, I filed Single because my 2020 marriage was abroad, my husband lives abroad (and has never earned any US income), and I got some bad advice from people I thought I could trust who were in similar situations (that your foreign marriage doesn't "count" in the US until it is registered in the US). I have now been told that that is fraudulent and carries penalties of up to $250,000 and three years in jail. (See https://www.sapling.com/7961824/happens-file-single-married.) Yet you recommended filing an amendment from Single to Married Filing Separately. Is it really so simple? On my amendment explanation, can I just say that I accidentally filed Single? And poof, it just goes away? Or do I end up in jail for three years? (If it helps to know, my federal tax due now when I did the amendment electronically - though I haven't filed it yet - is $0. For my state tax, the amendment shows that I need to pay $15 more only. It should be fairly obvious that I did not file Single in order to save money.) But the possible penalty has me very worried! Please share your thoughts and experience.
