The filing status is used to determine the standard deduction, filing requirements, credit eligibility, and the correct tax amount for your return.
If you are unsure what filing status is best for you, you can use the IRS What's My Filing Status tool to help you choose.
PLEASE NOTE: Your spouse is never your dependent.
If you have entered your spouse as a dependent you will need to go to the left side menu and select "Basic Information", next select "Edit" on the Dependents/Qualifying Person line. Next select the three dots to the right of the box with your spouse's name and select "Delete".
How do I change my marital status?
From Married Filing Joint to Married Filing Separate
To change your filing status from married filing joint (MFJ) to married filing separate (MFS) please follow these steps: You will first need to log into your account. From the left side menu select "Basic Information", next select "Edit" on the Filing Status line and select continue. Next select "Married Filing Separate," a new option will appear at the bottom. If you lived with your spouse at any time during the year please check the box, then press continue. You should receive an warning letting you know that "When the filing status on a return is changed, all existing state returns will be deleted" Click Continue. Your filing status should now be changed.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are doing an amendment to change your filing status, you can amend a married filing joint (MFJ) to married filing separate (MFS) return if done so before the original filing deadline (without extension). For more information please see our article here.
From Married Filing Joint or Married Filing Separate to Single
To change your filing status from married filing joint (MFJ) to married filing separate (MFS) please follow these steps: You will first need to log into your account. From the left side menu select "Basic Information", next select "Edit" on the Filing Status line and select continue. Next select "Single," You should receive an warning letting you know that "If you change your filing status from Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately to any other filing status the spouse information will be deleted. And a second warning, when the filing status on a return is changed, all existing state returns will be deleted" Click Continue. Your filing status should now be changed.
From Married Filing Joint or Married Filing Separate to Head of Household
To change your filing status from married filing joint (MFJ) to married filing separate (MFS) please follow these steps: You will first need to log into your account. From the left side menu select "Basic Information", next select "Edit" on the Filing Status line and select continue. Next select "Head of Household," You should receive an warning letting you know that "If you change your filing status from Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately to any other filing status the spouse information will be deleted. And a second warning, when the filing status on a return is changed, all existing state returns will be deleted" Click Continue. Your filing status should now be changed.
From Single to Married Filing Joint or Married Filing Separate
To change your filing status from married filing joint (MFJ) to married filing separate (MFS) please follow these steps: You will first need to log into your account. From the left side menu select "Basic Information", next select "Edit" on the Filing Status line and select continue. Next select "Married Filing Joint," a new option will appear at the bottom. If you lived with your spouse at any time during the year please check the box, then press continue. You should receive an warning letting you know that "When the filing status on a return is changed, all existing state returns will be deleted" Click Continue. Your filing status should now be changed. You will then need to enter your spouses information including their income.
From Single to Head of Household
To change your filing status from married filing joint (MFJ) to married filing separate (MFS) please follow these steps: You will first need to log into your account. From the left side menu select "Basic Information", next select "Edit" on the Filing Status line and select continue. Next select "Head of Household," a new option will appear at the bottom. If you lived with your spouse at any time during the year please check the box, then press continue. You should receive an warning letting you know that "When the filing status on a return is changed, all existing state returns will be deleted" Click Continue. Your filing status should now be changed.