Going from single to married in tt

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
December 12, 2025
3 replies
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We both filed Single for 2024 tax year. Got married so we will file married filing jointly. What is the best way to proceed? Do we create a new tt account or do we file under one of our accounts from last year and manually enter the other?

Best answer by SteamTrain

Expert Reviewed

Also note....as implied previously but need to stress:

1) Whichever person's prior year file you choose to use...that person will be the primary taxpayer on the new MFJ tax return and must remain so. (Unless you start a new account with no transfer in of a datafile from 2024). If you attempt t change the order of Taxpayer and Spouse afterwards, you may find that some off the forms you enter like W-2 or 1099-R forms...they may get assigned to the wrong person because the switch of Taxpayer/Spouse doesn't get properly reassigned for every form.

2) For the old account(s) you may not be using anymore, make sure you download a PDF file of every year that is available in that old account now while you still have access. Every succeeding year, one PDF file gets eliminated form everyone's account ~7years back, and one of you may need future access to one of those older tax files. Back those PDF files up on an off-computer device too, like a USB flash drive since computers/disks crash unexpectedly at any time.

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xmasbaby0

Level 15

You will not be able to merge two previous TT account to start your new joint return. You can transfer ONE of your 2024 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.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

VolvoGirl

Level 15

Here's a couple FAQs....

Getting Married FAQ
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-filing-status/help/what-does-getting-married-mean-for-my-taxes/00/1756642

Tax info on getting married
https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/marriage/getting-married/L0DvEUlEC

SteamTrainAnswer

Level 15

Expert Reviewed

Also note....as implied previously but need to stress:

1) Whichever person's prior year file you choose to use...that person will be the primary taxpayer on the new MFJ tax return and must remain so. (Unless you start a new account with no transfer in of a datafile from 2024). If you attempt t change the order of Taxpayer and Spouse afterwards, you may find that some off the forms you enter like W-2 or 1099-R forms...they may get assigned to the wrong person because the switch of Taxpayer/Spouse doesn't get properly reassigned for every form.

2) For the old account(s) you may not be using anymore, make sure you download a PDF file of every year that is available in that old account now while you still have access. Every succeeding year, one PDF file gets eliminated form everyone's account ~7years back, and one of you may need future access to one of those older tax files. Back those PDF files up on an off-computer device too, like a USB flash drive since computers/disks crash unexpectedly at any time.

____________*Answers are correct to the best of my knowledge when posted, but should not be considered to be legal or official tax advice.*

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iltmAuthor

Level 3

Steam Train, Where do I enter my 2024 info manually since I am using husband's 2024 file. He will be the primary so all of his info populates. Where and can I do that now or do I have to wait?

VolvoGirl

Level 15

You just enter any 2024 info it needs as you fill out the 2025 return. Go to My Info and under his name change it to Married from Single. Then it will open up so you can enter your name and personal info.