You can amend a Married Filing Joint (MFJ) return to a Married Filing Separate (MFS) return if done so before the original filing deadline (without extension). When amending a MFJ return to a MFS return, follow these steps in the program:
- Basic Information Section
- Filing Status
- Change the filing status to Married Filing Separate - All of the information that was allocated to the spouse, such as W-2s, 1099s, etc., will be removed from the return
*Note: Once you have filed your tax return as Married Filing Joint (MFJ), you CANNOT amend your filing status after the April deadline. Any change to filing status must be done before the deadline.
When changing from Married Filing Separate (MFS) to Married Filing Joint (MFJ), change the filing status to Married Filing Joint, then add all information pertaining to the other spouse. You may need to contact the support team if the Social Security Number field is not provided for the spouse. This section of the return is locked once a return has been e-filed and accepted. If you have claimed the spouse as a Dependent by mistake, you must remove the spouse from the Dependent section before changing the filing status.
*Note: Once you've filed your tax return as Married Filing Separate (MFS), you have three years from the original deadline to make the change to your tax return. This deadline DOES NOT include any filing extensions.
Do both taxpayers on the return need to amend if filing status is changed from MFJ to MFS?
Yes, if you and your spouse filed a Married Filing Joint return and then file an amended return changing your filing status to MFS, both the primary taxpayer and spouse listed on the return must file amended returns.
What if we amend to change from MFS to MFJ?
If both you and your spouse originally filed MFS returns, you only need to file one MFJ amended return since it counts for the two of you. You will want to chose one of the original MFS returns to amend. You then need to add the other spouse's original return information into the program for the amended return. Print the combined return and compare it to both spouses original return to make sure ALL information is added to the amended return.