Turbo Tax is telling me that my wife and I should file separately on one form. I can find no way to do this. How is this done?

[xmasbaby0]

You misunderstood.  If you are filing a JOINT tax return you file everything on one Form 1040---all of the information for both spouses, income, dependents, credits, deductions, etc. goes on ONE tax return if you file a joint tax return.

If you are filing "married filing separately" it takes TWO tax return forms---one for each spouse.  And if you are using online software---two accounts and user IDs, and pay twice.

If you were legally married at the end of 2019 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 $24,400 (+$1300 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...

[apzuckerman]

Thanks for the info.  I agree with you.  What didn't make sense to me is that Turbo Tax said it was changing the filing method to two individuals filing separately on the same form.  My father, a retired IRS exec, said it didn't make sense to him because he was unaware of such a category unless it was recently added.