SusanY1
Expert Alumni

After you file

When you amend your return to update your filing status, you will have an opportunity to give an explanation for the reason you are amending your return.  I recommend that you simply state "selected the wrong filing status" or something similar.   The IRS understands that mistakes happen and fraud involves much more than a mistake in your selection based on what you thought was the right way to file at the time.  Your intent matters when the IRS is determining whether or not you committed fraud rather than simply made an error.   It does not sound to me like you have anything to worry about - and the IRS certainly doesn't prosecute people who do the right thing and amend their returns once they discover they've made a mistake.  

 

So yes, it will just "go away" once you file the amended return reflecting your married status.  

 

I hope you will sleep better tonight knowing that you don't need to worry about going to jail over your fairly simple mistake.  

 

Note that in TurboTax you will get an error when you don't have a SSN or ITIN for your spouse, but simply proceed with the error to print your return (or if you are unable to do this enter a dummy number) and then write in "NRA" (for nonresident alien) in the space for your spouse's social security number.  

 

 

@amanda62

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"