How do I update my Filing Status and/or Spouse information?

Your filing status determines your standard deduction, filing requirements, eligibility for certain credits, and how your tax is calculated.

Determining your filing status

If you are unsure which filing status applies to you, you can use the IRS “What’s My Filing Status?” tool for guidance.

Important: Your spouse is never your dependent.

If you accidentally entered your spouse as a dependent:

1. Go to Basic Information in the left‑side menu.
2. Select Edit next to Dependents/Qualifying Person.
3. Select the three dots next to your spouse’s name.
4. Choose Delete.

How to Change Your Marital or Filing Status

Below are the steps to update your filing status within your account. All changes begin in the same place:

1. Log in to your account.
2. Open the Basic Information section from the left‑side menu.
3. Select Edit next to Filing Status, then choose Continue.
4. Select your new filing status and follow the prompts.

You will see warnings when changing filing status, including:

• Spouse information may be deleted if switching away from a married status.
• All existing state returns will be deleted when filing status changes.

These warnings are expected—select Continue to proceed.

Changing From Married Filing Joint (MFJ) to Married Filing Separate (MFS)

To switch from Married Filing Joint to Married Filing Separate:

1. Go to Basic Information → Edit Filing Status → Continue.
2. Select Married Filing Separate.
3. If you lived with your spouse at any time during the year, check the box when prompted.
4. Continue through the warnings to complete the change.

Note: If you are amending a return to change from MFJ to MFS, you may only do so before the original filing deadline (not including extensions). See amending filing status rules for details.

Changing From MFJ or MFS to Single

To change from a married status to Single:

1. Go to Basic Information → Edit Filing Status → Continue.
2. Select Single.
3. Review the warnings about spouse information and state returns being deleted.
4. Select Continue to apply the change.

Changing From MFJ or MFS to Head of Household (HOH)

To change from a married status to Head of Household:

1. Go to Basic Information → Edit Filing Status → Continue.
2. Select Head of Household.
3. Review the warnings and select Continue.

Changing From Single to Married Filing Joint or Married Filing Separate

To change from Single to MFJ or MFS:

1. Go to Basic Information → Edit Filing Status → Continue.
2. Select Married Filing Joint or Married Filing Separate.
3. If you lived with your spouse at any time during the year, check the box when prompted.
4. Continue through the warnings.
5. Enter your spouse’s information, including income.

Changing From Single to Head of Household

To change from Single to Head of Household:

1. Go to Basic Information → Edit Filing Status → Continue.
2. Select Head of Household.
3. If you lived with your spouse at any time during the year, check the box when prompted.
4. Continue through the warnings to complete the change.

If You Are Divorced

Your filing status must reflect your marital status as of December 31.

If you were legally divorced by December 31:

• Your filing status should be Single, or
• Head of Household if you have dependents and meet the requirements.

To update your status:

1. Go to Basic Information → Edit Filing Status → Continue.
2. Select Single (or Head of Household, if eligible).
3. Continue through the warnings.

Once updated, you will no longer need to enter spouse information.