Help with MFS - divorce and deductions

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
April 11, 2026
9 replies
140 views

My wife and I were married as of the end of 2025. We are now in the divorce process. We are going to file MFS - I filed my taxes recently and took the standard deduction. Now with it down to the wire she has decided she’s going to itemize. What’s my recourse here?

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SharonD007

Level 14

Your spouse should file using the standard deduction. If she won't, you can file an amendment and change from using the standard deduction to itemize your deductions.

if you file Married Filing Separately (MFS) and your spouse itemizes their deductions, you cannot use the standard deduction. According to IRS rules, if one spouse itemizes on a separate return, both spouses must itemize. The only exception to this rule is if you qualify to file as Head of Household.

Refer to the IRS Tax Tips Tax basics: Understanding the difference between standard and itemized deductions for more information.

Please see the TurboTax article Should You and Your Spouse File Jointly or Separately? For more information.

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co28031Author

Level 2

Thank you for this. Follow up question- since I already filed and it states that I owe do I hold off setting up a payment plan with the IRS? Or do I set it up and then wait for them to make adjustments based on my corrected return?

SharonD007

Level 14

If you are going to amend your tax return, wait until it is fully processed before you amend it.

You can call them and explain what happened so they can advise you how they want you to proceed. Contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-1040 (individual) or 1-800-829-4933 (business) Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on how to pay your taxes, refer to the TurboTax Help articles: How to Pay Taxes: 10 Ways to Pay Your Tax Bill and How can I pay my federal taxes?

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