Married filing separately

[JohnHenkels6420]

I have desktop Turbotax Deluxe Tax year 2022.

Can I file for my wife and I separately with the same copy?

[xmasbaby0]

If you have the CD/download you can prepare and e-file up to five federal and state returns, so yes, you can prepare and file the returns for yourself and for your spouse.  After you prepare the first return, go up to File and choose New Tax Return.

Married filing separately is often the worst way to file, though---so are you sure you want to file that way?

If you were legally married at the end of 2022 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.

Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $25,900 (+$1400 for each spouse 65 or older)  You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit. 

If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return. Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)

 If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice.

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

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901162-married-filing-separately-in-community-property-states

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...

[DoninGA]

You will have to create two tax returns, one for you and one for your spouse when filing separately.

Using the desktop editions, after you have started the first tax return you can save the return at any time by clicking on the File menu at the top left of the desktop program screen.  Then click on Save.

To start the second return, click on the File menu and click on New Tax return.

Note that filing separately is the worst way to file when married.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for filing jointly versus separately - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/taxation/better-married-couple-file-join...

[bluedeb]

Yes, with the Desktop software you can prepare and file as many returns as needed.  You get 5 free Federal e-files, after the 5 Federal e-files you would need to print and mail additional returns.  With Deluxe and above you get one free State program.  There is a charge to e-file a State return but to avoid the charge you can mail in the State return.

[JohnHenkels6420]

This answer answered my question and then went one step further.

Married but Filing Separately might be a good idea when there are concerns about a spouses' finances.