I accidentally filed as single but meant to file married filing separately

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
April 10, 2025
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TurboTax Deluxe Online

xmasbaby0

Employee

If the e-file was accepted, you will need to wait for your return to be fully processed and then amend to correct your filing status. And when you file married filing separately, there are some rules to follow. Both spouses must file the same way---either you both use standard deduction or you both itemized. It cannot be one of each. Each of you is required to enter some information on your own return about your spouse. If you are in a community property state, it becomes more complicated.

Wait until your original return has been fully processed before you amend, and make sure you have saved a pdf of the original return before you amend. (If you do not save it as a pdf, the amended return will overwrite the original, and the original will be lost forever)

See this TurboTax support FAQ for amending a tax return -

CURRENT YEAR

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/amend-federal-tax-return-current-year/L7eS6o1qh_US_en_US?uid=lfunevhk

Do not expect quick results from amending. It can take four months or more for the IRS to process an amended return.

You can watch for information here:

https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

MayaD

You need to amend your return to change your filing status.

You can choose: Single if you're unmarried, divorced or legally separated.

Married filing separately if you're married and don't want to file jointly or find that filing separately lowers your tax.

Filing status

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Oxnyloracxo

Hi there

Same situation except my husband filed married filing separately first and I haven’t filed yet. If I filed mine married filing together before the deadline, then would the IRS ignore his filing separate and my MFT essentially would replace his return?

Thanks in advance for your help!

KeshaH

You would need to amend his return to change the filing status to Married Filing Jointly and add your information. Another return with his name and SSN will be rejected.