Can I amend my filing status from married filing separate to married filing jointly?

[DoninGA]

Yes, you can amend a tax return to MFJ from MFS.

An amended return, Form 1040-X, can only be printed and mailed to the IRS if the original tax return was not e-filed. The IRS will take up to 20 weeks or longer to process an amended tax return.

Before starting to amend the tax return, wait for the tax refund to be received or the taxes due to be paid and processed by the IRS.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for amending a tax return - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/amend-change-correct-return-a...

[rjs]

If you and your spouse both filed tax returns as married filing separately, you only amend one of the separate returns to change it to married filing jointly. You include all of the other spouse's information in the amended joint return. The other spouse's separate return, that you don't amend, will automatically be overridden by the amended joint return.

If you file your amended return by mail, send it by certified mail with a return receipt so that you get tracking and confirmation of delivery.

TurboTax might not let you e-file the amended return if you are changing the filing status, even if the original return was e-filed.