It is much easier to do in desktop software. In the online or mobile version you need two separate accounts to compare the result. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/4775330">https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/4775330</a>
To compare Joint to MFS. If you are using the Online version, do NOT change anything on your return. You would have to start with a new account and do a test return. You don't have to pay unless you want to print it out. So you might need 3 accounts, one for Joint and two MFS, one for each spouse.
How to Compare Joint to Married Filing Separately
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How to start another return in the Online version
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It is much easier and safer to do this in the Desktop version
For On-Line version
You appear to be using the TTax On-Line version. Unfortunately the on-line version does not support a 'what-if' scenario (that is only available with the desktop version).
Once you make ANY changes to the online version the previous information is overwritten and is PERMANENTLY deleted. You will have to manually re-enter/re-create your return.
You might want to try to create NEW dummy accounts for your various scenarios and then simply abandon them when you are finished.
Create New On-Line account :
Go to turbotax.com and look for the 'New to TurboTax?" 'Start for Free' BLUE button near the top center of the screen.
How to Clear AND Delete
How to clear an on-line return and start over
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900891-how-do-i-start-over-in-turbotax-online
(Please note that the link may 'appear' to be truncated, however it will work (if you hover your mouse over the link you will see the full link.)
How to delete tax return in TTax On-line
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899886-can-i-delete-my-tax-return-in-turbotax-online
(Please note that the link may 'appear' to be truncated, however it will work (if you hover your mouse over the link you will see the full link.)
Note: This will also clear/delete any data you have transferred from last year or downloaded from a Financial Institution.
CAVEAT:
While you can clear the information in a return in an account, you CANNOT delete an account.
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For DESKTOP version ONLY
Select 'Forms Mode' - (upper right corner of Step-by-Step screen)
Select 'Open Form' - (upper LEFT corner (just above "Forms in My Return" click on icon)
Enter "What-if" (without quotes) in the Search field (at top under 'Search or Browse ,,,' heading)
'Double Click' on the "What-if" entry listed in the list of forms below (under 'US Form 1040 ...')
NOTE: Be sure to type the search phrase SLOWLY, and to use a '-' and not a space between the words entered. The search will auto-complete generally by the time 'wh' is entered.
For safety, to protect your return, whenever you are doing things like a 'what-if' compare, it is a good practice to make a COPY of your return and do the 'what-if' exercise on the COPY.
Sometimes people don't realize the differences between filing Joint and MFS. Here's some info.
Unless you have a specific reason to file separate returns,
It is usually better to file Joint. Joint has the lowest tax rates and the highest Standard Deduction. And if you are in a Community Property state MFS gets tricky to figure out. 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.
Many people think they come out better when filing Married Filing Separate but they are probably doing it wrong. If one person itemizes deductions then the other one must itemize too, even if it's less than the standard deduction, even if it is ZERO!
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 …….
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