Divorce and claiming estimated tax payments made under former spouse SSN

[caragua]

I got divorced in 2022. Estimated tax payments were made under my former spouse SSN, but I am the one to claim them in my return since the income that triggered those payments is being reported under my SSN.

I have entered the amounts and dates in the correct worksheet but, according to the IRS publication 504, "If you claim any of the payments on your tax return, enter your spouse's or former spouse's SSN in the space provided on Form 1040".

The question is how do I do this in Turbo Tax ?. The only thing I have been able to do is to create a blank form and put the explanation so I do not know if this will suffice and if I can efile. Any solutions welcome.

[Cynthiad66]

That will suffice.  As long as the statement is with the return when e-filed it will provide the information needed for the IRS.  If not, they will contact you for additional information.  If you are not able to e-file with the statement try to enter her SSN in My Info where you would normally include spouse's info. 

Pub 504 suggest you enter it in the area where you would have entered spouse's personal information.  You would need to go to My Info and enter it there and that will most likely create an error and not allow e-file.

Now, if all else fails, I would claim my payments and file normally.  IRS will contact you if they need additional information.  This could delay processing but will allow e-filing.

Pub 504 states that "If you and your spouse made joint estimated tax payments for 2022 but file separate returns, either of you can claim all of your payments, or you can divide them in any way on which you both agree. If you can’t agree, the estimated tax you can claim equals the total estimated tax paid times the tax shown on your separate return for 2022, divided by the total of the tax shown on your 2022 return and your spouse's 2022 return." 

You may want to attach an explanation of how you and your spouse divided the payments. If you claim any of the payments on your tax return, enter your spouse's or former spouse's SSN in the space provided on Form 1040 or 1040-SR. If you were divorced and remarried in 2022, enter your present spouse's SSN in that space and enter your former spouse's SSN, followed by “DIV” to the left of Form 1040, line 26.

I don't think you will be able to add the ex spouse's SSN on line 26 using TurboTax online.  If you have CD/download you can check to see if you can enter on line 26.  However, any overrides you perform cancels TurboTax calculation guarantee.

[Critter-3]

I would be proactive ... don't try to efile the return (which can delay things for months)   and just  simply  mail it in  with the detailed  explanation attached and include a copy of the payment receipt.