Why does changing who's W2 it is change the refund or amount due for a couple married filed jointly?

[toryblaha]

I was reviewing my return and noticed that my Wife's W2 was logged as mine changed my refund by about 2K.  I thought everything was based on total income and taxes withheld for the couple filing jointly

[Lisa995 · Accepted solution]

It can happen

If that W2 income added to yours exceeded the Social Security limit, the excess SS tax would be refunded.   

By changing it to your wife as its supposed to be, she may not have exceeded the SS limit and none of the SS taxes would be excess and refunded.