I am filing as married filing jointly for the first time. Beyond listing my spouse's name, occupation, etc., do I also need to list his salary, IRA contribution, etc.?

[maisiemc88]

He will be submitting his own tax return as well.  

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

@maisiemc88 

"He will be submitting his own tax return as well.  "

NO!    When you file a joint return all of your income and information goes on the same tax return.

When you enter your own 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 would then enter your spouse's information into Personal Info.  Whenever you are entering income information there should then be a spot for you and for your spouse's income information.

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.

[fanfare]

If you e-File MFJ, IRS will reject another tax return filed by your husband.

@maisiemc88 

[Opus 17]

A joint tax return means you file one return that lists all your combined income, deductions, dependents, and credits.

If you want to file separately, then you list your income, deductions, dependents, and credits on your return only, and your spouse lists their individual income, deductions, dependents, and credits on their return only.  The only piece of information about your spouse that goes on your return is their name and SSN.  

Filing separately will almost always result in owing more tax, since the tax rates can be higher and certain deductions and credits are disallowed or reduced.  Filing jointly almost always results in less tax owed, even if your incomes are very different.  The main reason to file separately is to show a lower income for some purposes, or because you don't want to take joint/shared responsibility for your spouse's tax return because you don't trust them.  (In which case, you have bigger problems.)

[VolvoGirl]

Did you get married in 2021?  

Here's some general info on getting married.  Did you both use Turbo Tax last year?

You can not transfer from or combine 2 returns or accounts.  Just pick the return for the spouse that has the most complicated return to enter or has any depreciation or business or  more investments.  Or use the account for whoever you want to be listed first going forward (by the way you can not change the order of the names).  Then add the other spouse's name, ssn and info to it.

You should usually  file a Joint return which is only 1 return combined for the both of you.  Make sure to stick with this one account for the future.  Just ignore the other spouse's account.

Getting Married FAQ

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

And info on Getting Married…..

http://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Family/Getting-Married/INF12006.html

Is it better to file Joint or Separately?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...

Compare Joint to Married Filing Separately

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2895312-how-can-we-compare-married-filing-jointly-with-married-fil...