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Not sure why you are saying your spouse no longer needs to file.   When you file a joint return, ALL of your combined income --- even Social Security benefits or retirement income -- must be entered on the joint return.   If you file married filing separately, your spouse will also have to file a tax return, but could end up being taxed on Social Security if that was his only income.     Joint is almost always the better way to file.     How to start a new joint return   You will not be able to merge two previous TT account to start your new joint return.  You can transfer ONE of your 2023 returns into a new return, so choose the most complicated one.  The other spouse’s information needs to be entered manually.  The first name you enter will be the “primary” taxpayer——and in subsequent years you need to keep the names in that order—do not try to change the order of the names.     When you enter the primary spouse’s information in My Info, you have to answer the question "Were you married?"  If you click the button for Married, then a drop down will appear that asks, "Do you want to file this return together with your spouse?"  Then you choose YES to file a joint return.  You enter your spouse's information into My Info.  Whenever you are entering income information there should then be a spot for you and for your spouse's income information.  WATCH for the names as you enter income on the screens.  Or when you click to add income it will prompt you to choose which spouse had the income.   When you prepare a joint return you include all the information for both spouses on the SAME tax return.  Include all of your personal information, all of your income from every source, all dependents (if any), all credits and deductions for both of you.  You get ONE refund with both names on it.    

"last year"?   Do you mean 2023?   Paying your fees did not file your return.    Did YOU go all the way through the steps of the FILE section to e-file the return yourself?     DID YOU E-FILE?   Did you e-file?   Did you go through all three steps of the FILE section and click a big orange button that said “Transmit my returns now?”     When you e-file your return you will get two emails from TurboTax.  The first one will say your return has been transmitted; the second one will tell you the IRS has accepted  or rejected your federal e-file.  If you filed a state return, there will be a third email (usually a day or two later) that tells you if the state e-file was accepted or rejected.   Check your e-file status:   https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/    What does it say in your account?  Does it show that the return was accepted?   Or does it say something else---like "rejected," "printed," or "ready to mail?”   If you discover or realize that your e-file was rejected, you will need to print it, sign and date it in ink, and file it by mail now, since e-filing is closed for returns for tax year 2023.  

 You will be able to access the 2023 return you started by using the exact same account and user ID that you used when you started it.   But you can no longer use online software for any further changes.       Start a 2024  return online and enter some personal information  so that the menu on the left opens up and lets you access your past year returns.   Online tax preparation and e-filing for 2023 returns is now permanently closed.    Now it is too late to use online software or to e-file. If you have any changes/corrections at all to make to your 2023 return, you now have to complete it using desktop software, which you must download to a full PC or Mac  (not to a mobile device).Then you need to print, sign and mail it.   https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/printers-printing/finish-prior-year-return-started-turbotax-online/L9Oe4M90A_US_en_US?uid=m68tffpe   If you already paid for your online software you can ask customer support for a download of the desktop software.   They are available from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time Monday - Friday   https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number     If you are getting a refund, there is no penalty for filing late.  If you owe tax due, then file and pay the amount due as shown on the Form 1040, but expect a bill later from the IRS for the penalty and interest you will owe.  Only the IRS will calculate this—TurboTax will not calculate it.     When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.   Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

DID YOU E-FILE?   Did you e-file?   Did you go through all three steps of the FILE section and click a big orange button that said “Transmit my returns now?”     When you e-file your return you will get two emails from TurboTax.  The first one will say your return has been transmitted; the second one will tell you the IRS has accepted  or rejected your federal e-file.  If you filed a state return, there will be a third email (usually a day or two later) that tells you if the state e-file was accepted or rejected.   Check your e-file status:   https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/    What does it say in your account?  Does it show that the return was accepted?   Or does it say something else---like "rejected," "printed," or "ready to mail?”

Why are you not filing a joint return? If you were legally married at the end of 2024 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.   Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $29,200 (+ $1550 for each spouse 65 or older)  for 2024. You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit.    If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return.    Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)    If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice since with online, you get one return per fee.     https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/marriage/should-you-and-your-spouse-file-taxes-jointly-or-separately/L7gyjnqyM?srsltid=AfmBOopGqCNexowW0pYgvsf7ycIkrx4VjO_63UXv6vSnfu3UEGQiKQTh   https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/income/getting-married-mean-taxes/L2RgmagpE_US_en_US?uid=m69on7t0

It depends on how your 2023 return was prepared.  If you prepared the 2023 return in desktop software last year, then you are the only one who would have the *.tax2023 data file.     On the other hand, if you used Online TurboTax last year for 2023, then the 2023 data "should" automatically transfer into your 2024 Online return when you begin the new return--IF you are in the same account as last year.   Or are you switching versions?  i.e., if you used Online TurboTax last year, but want to use desktop software for your 2024 return, we can tell you how to transfer the 2023 online data file into a desktop return.    If you used desktop software for 2023, but want to use Online TurboTax for 2024, we can tell you how to transfer the *.tax2023 data file into a 2024 online return IF you have a copy of that data file.