How to change filing status for previous years?

[DoninGA]

If you are referring to changing your filing status from Married Filing Jointly to something else you do not need to amend the tax return since that filing status cannot be changed after the due date of the tax return.

Otherwise -

See this TurboTax support FAQ for amending a tax return - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/amend-change-correct-return-a...

[KrisD15]

Additionally, to change your filing status for a previous year, you need to AMEND that tax return. 

This means you file a 1040X including the change. 

As stated above, if you were married that tax year, and you are eligible for a different filing status, you can change the filing status from Married Filing Separately to:

Married Filing Jointly

Head of Household

Qualifying Surviving Spouse

If you were not married that tax year, you might be changing a different filing status. 

You can't change from Married Filing Jointly to Married Filing Separately if this is after the due date of that original return.

HERE is a link about filing an amended return in TurboTax. 

@bank158055 

[oggie5816]

My son and his wife were married in September of 2024. They initially filed their taxes as Married Filing Jointly using the Turbo Tax sofware we purchased and they electronically filed. They ended up having to owe quite a chunk to the IRS. They were over a couple of days ago and did some "mock up" taxes using Turbo Tax and found out that they are better offer, at least for 2024, to file as Married Filing Separately. Can they amend their return and, if so, how is that done?

[LeticiaF1]

Yes, you can amend from Married Filing Jointly to Married Filing Separately, but you must do it before the April 15 deadline. You will have to complete 2 returns, one for each spouse. ‌Also remember that if one spouse itemizes, the other spouse must itemize too. For more information and steps on how to complete this see the TurboTax help article below:

How do I switch from filing jointly to filing separately?

@oggie5816 

[VolvoGirl]

@oggie5816   Be sure they do the MFS returns right and not just filing Single.  There are rules so Joint is usually better.

Joint is almost always better.  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.  The Desktop CD/Download program would be better to use.

Many people think they come out better when filing Married Filing Separate but they are probably doing it wrong.  If one person itemizes deductions on Schedule A then the other one must itemize too, even if it's less than the standard deduction, even if it is ZERO!  And if you are in a Community Property state it can be complicated to figure out.

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 right away even with zero other income.

See …….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/married/help/is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-...