Amend 2019 returns after husband already filed

[stech]

My husband filed his 2019 taxes Married filing separate and I didn’t file at all.

now we want to file joint return. Can I do this online? Do I need to mail his copy of 2019, if it’s paper file only because it would be amended return? 

what is the best way to handle this? Should I use my account or his account to file? As I used different provider and he used turbo tax. 

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

You only need to amend his return to Joint.  You don't have to file your own return.  How to amend a current year tax return
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/amending/help/how-do-i-amend-my-turbotax-online-return/00/27577

The amended return is form 1040X and can only be mailed (not efiled from Turbo Tax) and will take 16 weeks or more to process. And they only send checks for amended returns, no direct deposit. You should also wait to amend your return until you get your original refund or your payment has cleared because the IRS might adjust your original return.

[Critter-3 · Accepted solution]

How do I amend Married Filing Separately returns to Married Filing Jointly?

The good news is that you only need to amend one of the returns; the IRS will disregard the other separately-filed return when they receive your amendment.

We suggest amending the one that's more complicated (that way you don't have to re-enter all that info), but it's up to you to decide which one to amend.

Instructions

You'll need the CD/Download software to do the amendment.

Amendment instructions:

1. Follow the directions for the tax year you wish to amend to begin the amendment process.
2. Install and launch the downloadable TurboTax software, if you haven't already done so.
3. Once you've gotten to the point where you're working in the "amend" copy of your return (a separate copy for amending, thereby preserving the originally-filed return), click Personal Info and proceed to the Your Personal Info Summary screen.
4. Scroll down to Your Filing Status and select the corresponding Edit button.
5. Check the Change my filing status checkbox, choose Married filing jointly, and select Continue.
6. Keep following any onscreen instructions until you return to the Your Personal Info Summary screen.
7. Click the Edit button next to your spouse's name and enter any missing information (date of birth, occupation, etc.)
8. Proceed through the step-by-step interview, adding in any items reported on your spouse's return (W-2s, 1099s, medical expenses, etc.)
9. When you're done entering your spouse's info, but before you get to the File section, you'll need to enter the refund or taxes paid from your spouse's return:
1. Switch to Forms mode. Windows | Mac
2. Open the Original Return Payment Smart Worksheet (if taxes were paid) or the Original Return Overpayment Smart Worksheet (if there was a refund).
3. Enter the taxes paid or refund on the corresponding worksheet, then switch back to step-by-step interview mode and continue.
10. When you get to the File section, follow our onscreen instructions to print and mail your amended return. Amended returns can't be e-filed.

Related Information:

• How do I switch from filing jointly to filing separately?
• Is it better for a married couple to file jointly or separately?
• How can we compare married filing jointly with married filing separately?
• Can a married person claim Head of Household filing status?

You will still get the first refund or need to pay the original tax due.  Then the amended return is only for the difference you get back or owe.  In fact you should not even amend until the first return has fully processed and you get the first refund or your tax due payment has cleared.  And make sure the original refund or tax paid shows up on the amended return.  You can confirm this by printing your amendment and looking at the 1040X. Line 18 should be your original refund amount and line 22 should be your additional refund.  If you paid on your original return it will be on line 16.  If there is an amount owed with the amendment, it will be on line 20.

You have to include a check for a tax due when you mail the amended return.  Do not use any vouchers that may print out.  If you have a refund they will mail you a check.  They don’t do Direct Deposit for refunds.