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How to answer "Did you, or someone on your behalf, file a 2019 tax return with the IRS last year?"

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
May 4, 2021
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When e-filing a return for 2020 with TurboTax, if you did not use TurboTax for this taxpayer last year, you are asked "Did you, or someone on your behalf, file a 2019 tax return with the IRS last year?"

A 2019 return was filed, but this taxpayer was listed as "spouse" on that return and not the primary social security on the return (although their social security number as spouse was on the return).

2019 was the final JOINT return filed for this taxpayer because the spouse passed away. So this taxpayer's 2020 return will be their first return filed with the SINGLE filing status.

So TurboTax wants to know if a 2019 tax return was filed for this taxpayer. Is the answer "Yes?"

Next TurboTax will ask what the AGI was on the 2019 return. Should the AGI from the joint return filed for 2019 be used even though this taxpayer was listed as spouse and it was a joint return?

Please don't answer unless you are sure of your response.

Thank you.

Best answer by AnnetteB6

Yes, a return was filed for the person in question. A joint return belongs to both the primary taxpayer and the spouse shown on the return. Therefore a return was filed for both the primary taxpayer and the spouse on the 2019 tax return.

The AGI shown on the 2019 joint tax return is the AGI for either person listed on the return as taxpayer or spouse. Therefore, if the spouse shown on the 2019 tax return is now filing their 2020 tax return, the AGI shown on the 2019 joint return is the AGI that needs to be entered for verification.

A

AnnetteB6Answer

Yes, a return was filed for the person in question. A joint return belongs to both the primary taxpayer and the spouse shown on the return. Therefore a return was filed for both the primary taxpayer and the spouse on the 2019 tax return.

The AGI shown on the 2019 joint tax return is the AGI for either person listed on the return as taxpayer or spouse. Therefore, if the spouse shown on the 2019 tax return is now filing their 2020 tax return, the AGI shown on the 2019 joint return is the AGI that needs to be entered for verification.

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