Entering AGI when Efiling first time as married separate instead of jointly in TurboTax question

[Paul_D1]

We have always filed married jointly, but this year we want to file married separate, so when it asks my AGI for identification (to efile) from last year it will obviously be wrong as it's combined with spouse.  Do I say that I DIDN'T file a return last year in the TurboTax question?  That seems odd, does that question mean I didn't file as separate?  Very confusing.

[xmasbaby0]

If you filed a joint return for 2020 your AGI is still the same amount for each spouse.   It is on line 11 of your 2020 Form 1040.   If using your AGI will not work then try zero.

[VolvoGirl]

You still use the AGI from the Joint return.  There is only 1 AGI on a Joint return.  You both use the same AGI to efile 2021.  

May I ask why you are filing Separate?

It is usually better to file Joint. Joint has the lowest tax rates and the highest Standard Deduction.   And if you are in a Community Property state MFS gets tricky to figure out.  Here's some things to consider about filing separately……

In the first place you each have to file a separate return, so that's two returns.  And if you are using the Online version that means using 2 accounts and paying the fees twice.  

Many people think they come out better when filing Married Filing Separate but they are probably doing it wrong.  If one person itemizes deductions then the other one must itemize too, even if it's less than the standard deduction, even if it is ZERO!  

And there are several credits you can't take when filing separately, like the

EITC Earned Income Tax Credit

Child Care Credit

Educational Deductions and Credits

And contributions to IRA and ROTH IRA are limited when you file MFS.

Also if you file Married Filing Separately up to 85% of your Social Security becomes taxable even with no other income.

See …….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately

[Paul_D1]

My wife and I always file jointly and last year (2021) made over the cutoff for the third stimulus, so we only received a very reduced amount.  I want to file married separately as my wife makes under the single cutoff of 75k so she can receive the balance of her $1400 (minus $365 for her half).  I know that my half that I received last year I would not have gotten on my own as I make over the cutoff for any payment.  Should I not do this?  There aren't any other deductions that we claim.

[Vanessa A]

Yes, you can file separately for your wife to claim the rest of her stimulus payment. Filing separate in your situation may produce the best results when it comes to the stimulus refund.

You may want to do a mock return for both of you to see if the stimulus creates an actual benefit when you file separate.  In your situation, it sounds like it is the best, but it doesn't hurt to enter her information and your information separate then add the amounts and compare to the amount you would receive if you file jointly.