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New Member
posted Mar 5, 2023 2:47:29 PM

How to indicate that a W2 is a spouse's?

I am not yet divorced or legally seperated, but we have been living apart the entire year. How do I check the box to make one of the W2s be indicated as a spouse's? I want to file as married, but not jointly?

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2 Replies
Level 15
Mar 5, 2023 2:52:10 PM

Unless you are living in a community property state, when you are married filing separately you do not enter your spouse's income on your tax return.  In fact there is nowhere on the return to enter any of your spouse's income, expenses or deductions.  You only enter their name and Social Security number on your return.

 

This changes dramatically if you live in a community property state.  See this - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/taxation/married-filing-separately-community-property/L11CeLUMs_US_en_US?uid=levzmvey

New Member
Mar 5, 2023 2:56:56 PM

Hey there.  Marital status is determined as of 12/31.   If you are still married, you can either file Jointly (one tax return) and add your spouse's W2 to the return or Married Filing Separately (MFS) where each spouse files a separate tax return.   If you file MFS, each person would add their separate income (W2, 1099, etc.) and deductions to their tax returns.  A lot of folks getting divorced prefer MFS even if the overall tax liability is higher  as it severs liability from the spouse.  Hope this helps.