combining two married filing separately into a single married filing jointly return

[110549rvmtt]

It apparently has never occurred to Turbo Tax that two people might want to compute their tax liability separately even though they file jointly. This cannot be that unusual a situation. Reentering all the data for one spouse to create a joint return is both burdensome and error prone.

I hope Turbo Tax can provide a simple solution for this problem.

Thanks.

[DoninGA]

See this TurboTax support FAQ for comparing filing jointly versus filing separately when using the desktop editions - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-filing-status/compare-married-filing...

[Cynthiad66]

If you're using TurboTax Desktop, try this:

1. Open your return and select Forms.
2. Select Open Form, enter What-If Worksheet (it may appear as What-If Wks), and select Open Form.
3. Select the MFJ vs. MFS box.
4. Scroll down to Balance Due (Refund) located under Line 72.
5. The second column shows the federal outcome for a joint return, and the third and fourth columns show the outcome for the taxpayer and spouse if filing separately.
   • Negative numbers are refunds and positive numbers are taxes due.

Related Information:

• Is it better for a married couple to file jointly or separately?
• What's last year's AGI if we filed jointly for 2022 but are using Married Filing Separately for 2023...
• How do I switch from filing jointly to filing separately?
• How do I amend Married Filing Separately returns to Married Filing Jointly?

@110549rvmtt 

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry, You can not transfer from or combine 2 returns or accounts. Just pick the return for the spouse that has the most complicated return to enter or has any depreciation or business or more investments. Or use the account/return for whoever you want to be listed first going forward (by the way you can not change the order of the names). Then add the other spouse's name, ssn and info to it.

But if you want to keep the prior accounts separate from the new Joint account then start a new account. Online is only good for one return per account. But you can use the same email address for 5 accounts.

How to start a new online return
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-start-another-return-in-turbotax-onli...

The Desktop CD/Download can do unlimited returns and efile 5 for free
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download