Have you ever been knee-deep in your tax return, diligently entering all your information into TurboTax, only to realize – GASP! – you might have selected the wrong filing status? Or perhaps your life circumstances changed after you filed, and now you're wondering if that impacts your taxes? Don't panic! Changing your filing status on TurboTax, whether before or after filing, is a common scenario, and this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process.
Your filing status is a crucial piece of your tax puzzle. It determines your standard deduction, tax rates, and eligibility for certain credits, ultimately impacting the amount of tax you owe or the refund you receive. So, let's dive into how to get it right, or how to fix it if it's not.
Changing Your Filing Status in TurboTax: A Step-by-Step Guide
The process for changing your filing status depends on whether you have already filed your tax return or not. We'll cover both scenarios in detail.
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| How Do I Change My Filing Status On Turbotax |
Scenario 1: Changing Your Filing Status Before You File
If you haven't hit that "File" button yet, you're in luck! This is the easiest scenario for adjusting your filing status.
Step 1: Log in to Your TurboTax Account and Navigate to Your Info
First things first, let's get you logged in. If you're currently working on your return, you'll likely already be there.
Open TurboTax: Launch the TurboTax software on your desktop or go to the TurboTax website and sign in to your account.
Locate "My Info": Once you're in your return, look for a section or tab typically labeled "My Info" or "Personal Info" in the left-hand navigation bar or at the top of the screen. This is where you entered your initial personal details, including your filing status.
Step 2: Review and Edit Your Filing Status
Within the "My Info" section, you'll find the option to adjust your personal details.
Find "Filing Status": Scroll through the "My Info" section until you see a question related to your filing status, often phrased as "What's your filing status?" or similar. You might see your current selected status displayed.
Click "Review" or "Edit": There will typically be a button or link that says "Review" or "Edit" next to your filing status. Click on this to open the filing status selection screen.
Answer the Questions Carefully: TurboTax will then ask you a series of questions to help determine your correct filing status. It's crucial to answer these questions accurately. These might include:
Were you married on December 31st of the tax year?
Did you have any dependents?
Did you pay more than half the cost of keeping up a home for yourself and a qualifying person?
Are you a widow/widower?
Select the Correct Filing Status: Based on your answers, TurboTax will suggest or allow you to choose from the eligible filing statuses:
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Married Filing Separately
Head of Household
Qualifying Widow(er)
Confirm Your Selection: Once you've made your selection, TurboTax will usually confirm it and tell you how it impacts your return. Click "Continue" to proceed.
Tip: Highlight sentences that answer your questions.
Step 3: Allow TurboTax to Update Your Return
After changing your filing status, TurboTax will automatically recalculate your tax liability.
Automatic Recalculation: You'll notice that your tax figures, including your standard deduction, tax liability, and potential refund/amount due, will adjust immediately. This is why changing it before filing is so much simpler!
Review Your Entire Return: Even though TurboTax recalculates automatically, it's highly recommended that you do a quick review of your entire return after making a significant change like filing status. This ensures that all other deductions, credits, and income entries still make sense with your new status.
Step 4: Proceed with Filing
Once you're satisfied with your new filing status and the updated return, you can proceed with the usual filing steps.
Run "SmartCheck" or "Error Check": Before submitting, always run TurboTax's final review or error check to catch any potential issues.
E-file or Print and Mail: You can then confidently e-file your return or print and mail it, depending on your preference.
Scenario 2: Changing Your Filing Status After You Have Filed
If you've already submitted your return to the IRS (and it's been accepted), changing your filing status requires a different approach: filing an amended return. This is done using Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
Step 1: Determine If an Amendment is Necessary
Not every little error requires an amendment, but a change in filing status almost always does.
IRS Corrections: The IRS can correct minor mathematical errors on your original return. They will usually notify you if they make such a correction. In these cases, you don't need to amend.
When to Amend: However, you must file an amended return if there's a change in your:
Filing Status (our topic!)
Income
Deductions
Credits
Dependents
Tax Liability
Step 2: Access the Amended Return Feature in TurboTax
TurboTax makes amending a return relatively straightforward, but it's a separate process from your original filing.
QuickTip: Don’t rush through examples.
Log in to Your TurboTax Account: Go back to your TurboTax account where you filed the original return.
Locate "Amend a Return": Look for an option like "Amend (change) your return," "Amend a return that was already filed," or similar. This is usually found under a "Tax Home," "Your Tax Returns & Documents," or "Tools" section.
Select the Correct Tax Year: If you've filed taxes for multiple years with TurboTax, make sure you select the correct tax year for the return you need to amend.
Step 3: Initiate the Amendment Process and Make Changes
TurboTax will guide you through the process of creating your amended return.
Start the Amendment: Follow the prompts to begin amending your return. TurboTax will typically load your original return's data.
Navigate to "My Info" (Again!): Just like when you were preparing your original return, you'll need to go back to the "My Info" or "Personal Info" section.
Change Your Filing Status: Edit your filing status as described in Scenario 1, Step 2. Answer the questions carefully to select the correct status.
Review All Other Sections: This is crucial. When you change your filing status, it can have cascading effects on other parts of your return. TurboTax will attempt to adjust, but you should still:
Re-enter or verify income and deductions: Ensure they are still appropriate for your new filing status.
Check credits: Some credits have different eligibility requirements or amounts based on filing status.
Verify dependents: If your filing status change impacts who you can claim as a dependent (e.g., changing from Married Filing Separately to Jointly), verify this.
TurboTax Fills Out Form 1040-X: As you make changes in TurboTax, the software will automatically populate Form 1040-X in the background. This form has three columns:
Column A: Original amounts (as you filed them).
Column B: Net increase or decrease from the original amounts.
Column C: Corrected amounts.
Provide a Reason for Amendment: On Form 1040-X, there's a section (Part III) where you must provide a clear explanation for the changes you are making. For a filing status change, you would clearly state something like: "Changing filing status from Single to Head of Household due to qualifying dependent." or "Amending from Married Filing Separately to Married Filing Jointly."
Step 4: File Your Amended Return
Filing an amended return is slightly different from filing your original return.
E-filing Form 1040-X: For current and two prior tax years, the IRS generally allows e-filing of Form 1040-X if your original return was also e-filed through TurboTax. TurboTax will guide you if this option is available.
Printing and Mailing: For older tax years, or if e-filing isn't available for your specific situation, you will need to print and mail your amended return.
Sign and Date: Make sure to sign and date Form 1040-X.
Attach Supporting Documents: If your filing status change is due to a new dependent or other circumstances requiring documentation, attach copies of any relevant forms or schedules (e.g., a new W-2, 1099, or documentation for a new dependent).
Mail to the Correct IRS Address: TurboTax will provide the correct mailing address for your amended return, which varies by state.
State Amended Returns: Crucially, if your federal filing status changes, it will almost certainly affect your state tax return. You will need to amend your state return separately. TurboTax can usually help you prepare your state amended return as well. Look for similar "amend state return" options.
Paying Any Additional Tax: If your amended return results in you owing more tax, pay it by the due date (even if you're filing the amendment after the original due date) to avoid penalties and interest. TurboTax will guide you on payment options.
No Need to Include Penalties/Interest: If you owe additional tax after the original due date, do not calculate or include penalties or interest on Form 1040-X; the IRS will calculate and bill you for these separately.
Step 5: Track Your Amended Return
Amended returns take longer to process than original returns.
"Where's My Amended Return?" Tool: You can track the status of your federal amended return using the IRS "Where's My Amended Return?" online tool. You'll need your Social Security number, date of birth, and ZIP code.
Processing Time: Generally, allow 8 to 12 weeks for your Form 1040-X to be processed, but in some cases, it can take up to 16 weeks. Check the IRS website for their current processing status dashboard.
Important Considerations for Changing Filing Status
Eligibility Rules: Always ensure you meet the IRS eligibility requirements for the filing status you select. TurboTax will guide you, but it's good to have a basic understanding. For example, to file as Head of Household, you must be unmarried, pay more than half the cost of keeping up a home, and have a qualifying person living with you for more than half the year.
Married Filing Separately vs. Jointly: This is a common decision point. While Married Filing Jointly often results in a lower tax liability, there are situations where Married Filing Separately might be beneficial (e.g., if one spouse has significant medical expenses or other deductions that would be limited by a higher Adjusted Gross Income on a joint return). If you filed Married Filing Jointly, you can amend to Married Filing Separately only if you do so by the original tax deadline (including extensions). However, you can always amend from Married Filing Separately to Married Filing Jointly within the amendment timeframe.
Statute of Limitations: To claim a refund, you must file Form 1040-X within 3 years after the date you filed your original return or within 2 years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. If you filed early, the 3-year period generally starts from the tax deadline.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Tip: Reread tricky sentences for clarity.
How to check my current filing status on TurboTax?
You can find your current filing status by logging into your TurboTax account and navigating to the "My Info" or "Personal Info" section of your tax return. It will usually be clearly displayed there.
How to know which filing status is best for me on TurboTax?
TurboTax will guide you through a series of questions about your marital status, dependents, and living situation to help you determine the most advantageous filing status. It often suggests the one that results in the lowest tax liability.
How to change from Married Filing Separately to Married Filing Jointly on TurboTax?
If you've already filed separately, you can amend your return to file jointly. Go to "Amend a Return" in TurboTax, navigate to the "My Info" section, change your status to Married Filing Jointly, and then review and submit the amended return (Form 1040-X).
How to change from Married Filing Jointly to Married Filing Separately on TurboTax?
You can only change from Married Filing Jointly to Married Filing Separately by amending your return if you do so by the original tax filing deadline (including extensions). After that deadline, you generally cannot switch from a joint return to separate returns for that tax year.
How to change my filing status if my e-filed return was rejected by the IRS?
If your e-filed return was rejected, you haven't technically "filed" yet. You can simply go back into your TurboTax return, navigate to the "My Info" section, correct your filing status, and then re-e-file your return.
QuickTip: The more attention, the more retention.
How to amend my state tax return after changing federal filing status on TurboTax?
After amending your federal return in TurboTax, you will typically be prompted or find an option to amend your state return. Many states require a separate amended form (often with an "X" suffix) and may ask for a copy of your federal Form 1040-X.
How to check the status of my amended return filed through TurboTax?
Once you've filed your amended return (either e-filed or mailed), you can check its status using the IRS "Where's My Amended Return?" online tool on the IRS website. You'll need your SSN, date of birth, and ZIP code.
How to explain a filing status change on Form 1040-X in TurboTax?
When TurboTax prepares your Form 1040-X for an amendment, it will provide a section (Part III) for you to explain the reason for the change. You should clearly state that you are correcting your filing status and briefly explain why (e.g., "Changed from Single to Head of Household due to meeting eligibility requirements for a qualifying dependent").
How to avoid common filing status errors in TurboTax?
To avoid errors, carefully answer all questions TurboTax asks regarding your personal situation, marital status, and dependents. If you're unsure, consult IRS Publication 17 or consider using TurboTax Live to speak with a tax expert for personalized guidance.
How to determine if changing my filing status will increase my refund or reduce my tax due?
TurboTax automatically recalculates your tax outcome when you change your filing status within the program. Before finalizing an amendment, you can often see the difference in your refund or amount due. Generally, choosing the most beneficial status (which TurboTax helps you identify) will lead to a better outcome.
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