Question

Married filing separately in 2022 file married 2021 (pending divorce): start a new return or continue with the return after transfer?

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
February 11, 2023
1 reply
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The first thing that came up after transferring last year's 2021 return is do I want to use it or start a fresh new return. It recommends starting a fresh new return since it's not a return for "my name and her name". It says if I don't start a new return, I have to remove my spouse's info manually. Is that a big deal?

Reason I ask is we had three rental properties and other investments, I'd rather transfer the return and have it carry forward the details, but I'd like to get some feedback before I continue. Thank you.

Critter-3

Ok ... if you were listed as the primary taxpayer on the 2021 joint return then you can transfer in the prior year's info and remove the spouse everywhere they are found ... not really difficult but tedious and you must really review the return carefully before you file to make sure only your info is on the return.

And if you were still married as of 12/31/22 then you still can file a joint return if you can both agree to do so ... both of you may not like the bottom lines on the return when filing separately.

But if you were listed as the spouse last year then you really need to start a fresh ... trying to move into the first postion is tricky at best even for a professional.