Can I file jointly if my spouse already filed separately?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

If you are going to amend your return so that the two of you file a joint return, you have to amend your spouse's return to become a joint return.

If you need to enter additional information, delete something, or change something on the the tax return you already filed, you have to wait until your return has been fully processed, then you can prepare an amended return, called a 1040X.  You cannot e-file a 1040X.  It must be printed, signed and mailed to the IRS.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3061514-how-do-i-amend-a-2016-return-in-turbotax

After you print, sign and mail your amended return—1040X— to the IRS wait about 3 weeks and then you can begin checking on it at the IRS website.  Be aware that it can take at least 3-4 months for an amended return to be fully processed (or sometimes even longer.)

https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1

[SweetieJean]

If your spouse agrees, you can amend his/her return to Joint.

[MartyDC]

In this situation do you create two amended returns and mail them in together?

[Hal_Al]

You file only one amended return.

'If only one of you had previously file, then you use his/her original return as the starting point.  If you both previously filed separately, you have to combine the numbers.  If ythis is your situation, you should consider hiring a tax pro to do it for you. 

[MartyDC]

Thanks Hal.  I think I'm enough of a "Tax Pro" to do it myself.  My question is how to handle this in turbo tax.  Assuming I have 2 completed returns entered in TT, can TT combine them in one amended return?

[MartyDC]

I know all this.  My question is specifically how to do this using TT.  Can TT combine two separate returns into one amended joint return?

[Hal_Al]

 TT can NOT combine two separate returns into one amended joint return.

You can start with either return (choose the one who's name you want listed first) (or the most complicated one). The other spouse's info will have to be entered manually. 

[andavis83]

Can I file jointly now and then amend my husbands or do i have to wait till his is amended?

[Hal_Al]

Q. Can I file jointly now and then amend my husbands or do I have to wait till his is amended?

A.  He files an amended return that changes his return to joint and  includes you.  

[KrisD15]

@andavis83

Adding to the answer from Hal_Al

If your husband already filed a Married Filing Separately (MFS) return, you will not be able to E-FILE a Married Filing Joint (MFJ) return since his social security number will show as already used. 

As Hal_Al explains, your husband is the one that will amend HIS MFS return into a MFJ return. 

Once you switch to MFJ, you can't switch back to MFS after the tax due deadline for that return. 

[ami1010]

i have already filed taxes separately. my husband has not filed yet. and now we want to file jointly. so i need to file amend form. when can my husband file his taxes? after i summited my  change of status amend form ? does he has to wait untill i filed amend ? or he has to file with MY amend form? 

[VolvoGirl]

He has to add his info to your amended return.   You amend you return to Joint and add his info to it.  That's all.  He doesn't need to file his own return.