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Level 2
posted Jun 1, 2019 11:08:52 AM

Where do I change my State filing Status from Married filing separately to Married filing jointly? I cannot find it under the Personal tab as suggested.

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7 Replies
Level 2
Jun 1, 2019 11:08:53 AM

I found it. You have to go to the State Tax tab, update General Info Tab, then select the option to change my Iowa filing status.

Expert Alumni
Jun 1, 2019 11:08:54 AM

Great. Thank you!

Level 2
Jun 1, 2019 11:08:55 AM

Your state software should be able to figure out the best filing status based on your income, taxes paid, etc.  I always file Married filing jointly but separately but this year's was a little different which I was lucky to catch.  By changing it to Married filing jointly (which I had problems figuring out where to change), I'm getting almost $200 more back.  Your software should have caught this...not me!

Expert Alumni
Jun 1, 2019 11:08:56 AM

Change to Married Filing Jointly...

To enter/edit personal information into TurboTax:

1. Open your return (or continue if open).

2. Type “personal information” in Search box (upper right-hand corner of the screen)

3. Click on “Jump to personal information

4. Scroll down until you see section you want to update.

5. Click on "Edit" (to the right of your present filing status).

6. Click on Married radio button, etc., Click on "Continue" to finish.

Please see screenshots below:

Level 2
Jun 1, 2019 11:08:57 AM

That does not take me to the place to make the change for my state taxes to file jointly instead of married filing separately so this does not help me.

Level 2
Jun 1, 2019 11:08:58 AM

I found it.  You have to go to the State Tax tab, update General Info Tab, then select the option to change my Iowa filing status.

Level 7
Jun 1, 2019 11:09:01 AM

There is no filing status of married joint but filing separate.  There is married joint or married separate.  The program does not know the best status for you because the questions asked are different for each filing status.  If you changed the filing status, you needed to all the way back through and answer all the questions after the change, in order to get a correct return.