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Level 2
June 6, 2019
Solved

Is "married filing separately" my only option?

  • June 6, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

I’ve been living apart from my spouse for the entire last year of 2017. The date of separation was in 2016, but the divorce is not finalized yet. I filed my taxes for 2016 as “Married Filing Separately” as I could't get in touch with her and she didn’t file her taxes at all as far as I know. We’re estranged and I still can't get in touch with her. We don’t have any children. Is there any way to be “considered unmarried” and have a different filing status for the year of 2017? 

    Best answer by BobinCT

    No. If you can't get her to sign a joint return MFS is your only choice.

    1 reply

    BobinCTAnswer
    Level 8
    June 6, 2019

    No. If you can't get her to sign a joint return MFS is your only choice.