How long do I have to be married to file jointly?

[hcanergocmus-icl]

I already filed my taxes jointly with my spouse. My wife says we spouse to be married for a financial year long to file jointly for that year. Is that correct? Did I make a mistake filing my taxes jointly?

[rjs]

Your wife is mistaken. Your filing status is determined by your marital status on the last day of the year. As long as you were married on December 31 you can file jointly for the year. You were correct to file jointly.

[hcanergocmus-icl]

I appreciate your quick answer.

The problem is we are married on the 8th of February 2022. Not in 2021. I filed my tax last week jointly. 

[Mike9241]

as long as you are legally married a fraction of a second before midnight on 12/31 you are legally married for the whole year and can file jointly

[rjs · Accepted solution]

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@hcanergocmus-icl wrote:

The problem is we are married on the 8th of February 2022. Not in 2021. I filed my tax last week jointly. 

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Since you did not get married until 2022, the joint tax return that you filed for 2021 is not valid. As of December 31, 2021 you were not married, so you cannot file jointly for 2021. You must amend the joint return that you filed, changing it to a return for one of you, with a filing status of Single. The other person must file a new 2021 tax return as single. And you must file the amended return and the new single return by April 18. After April 18 it becomes a much bigger deal to correct your mistake, and you would need professional help.

(It's possible that one or both of you qualifies to file as head of household for 2021, but you have not given enough information to determine that.)

[hcanergocmus-icl]

Thanks for the answer. I will file an amendment. 

I followed up on the Turbotax guideline while I am filing. I don't remember If it is distinct that I have to be married by the end of the year. I remember I only asked if I am married. I might miss that point if it is. 

Thanks again. I will file an amended return and ask for help from a professional. 

[rjs]

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@hcanergocmus-icl wrote:

I don't remember If it is distinct that I have to be married by the end of the year. I remember I only asked if I am married.

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The TurboTax screen asks whether you were married "On December 31, 2021." See the screen shot below.

[fanfare]

I believe to change your status you have to file 1040-X on paper.

also your spouse will not be able to e-file since you used her SSN already.

You don't really need a professional now or later unless you run into issues you don't understand.

You may owe more tax since you will lose the MFJ tax advantages.

[hcanergocmus-icl]

If I can't file online again, 

Does that mean I burned my money on TurboTax? 

[rjs]

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@hcanergocmus-icl wrote:

If I can't file online again, 

Does that mean I burned my money on TurboTax? 

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No, you can still use TurboTax even if you have to print your tax return and file by mail.

[white2nj]

Remember, your 2021 tax return relates ONLY to events that happened in 2021. You were not married in 2021 so you can't file married for 2021.

To answer your question, you have to have been married for at least one second in 2021 to be able file a married tax return for 2021. So, if someone were married on 31 Dec at 11:59:59 pm they are married for the entire year of 2021. If someone were married on 1 Jan 2022 00:00:01 then they are married only in 2022.

[hcanergocmus-icl]

I understand. Thanks for the answer. 

I messed up this year's tax return not only for myself but also for my spouses. 

Now I am looking for solutions for that.

[AkinaLO]

Did you already submit your tax return, and was it accepted?

[hcanergocmus-icl]

Yes and deposited money to my account already.

[white2nj]

I made a goof this year too and had to file an amended return because I left off some 1099 income. It was easy to do it though.