topic How to switch taxpayer to spouse line on 1040A in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

How to switch taxpayer to spouse line on 1040A

canales-e — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 14:15:45 GMT

1040A showing taxpayer as wife and spouse as husband. how can I switch this

To make the change from husband as taxpayer and wife as s...

ScottT — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 14:15:47 GMT

To make the change from husband as taxpayer and wife as spouse using your TurboTax Home & Biz Desktop version, please follow these steps.

In your TurboTax program, go to Personal Info tab on the top left
Then, click on You & Your Family just below it
At the Personal Info Summary page, click Edit on the first person on the list. Then, overwrite with your information
Do the same for the 2nd person on the list, then enter your spouse's information

That will only work if you have not yet entered any infor...

rjs — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 14:15:48 GMT

That will only work if you have not yet entered any information beyond the Personal Info section. If you have already entered W-2s or other information linked to the taxpayer or spouse, There is no practical way to change the order of the names. Trying to do so will cause numerous errors in your tax return that you will never be able to straighten out. Since you are using the CD or download TurboTax software, just start a new tax return from scratch, with the names in the order that you want them. However, also note the following on page 15 of the IRS instructions for Form 1040A.

"If you filed a joint return for 2016 and you are filing a joint return for 2017 with the same spouse, be sure to enter your names and SSNs in the same order as on your 2016 return."

Just ran a test using TurboTax Home & Biz Desktop version...

ScottT — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 14:15:50 GMT

Just ran a test using TurboTax Home & Biz Desktop version. I was able to update from my previous instruction and it changed from taxpayer to spouse vice versa. However, as rjs have mentioned, if you previously filed joint return for 2016 the order for names and SSN should be the same for 2017 return.

Re: That will only work if you have not yet entered any infor...

smr2 — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 16:55:07 GMT

I have the same problem. I have entered a LOT of information, only to find that my name is listed as the taxpayer, when I have been the spouse for years and years. There are K-1s, W-2s, and Schedule Cs linked to us. What do I do? I have to file this today?