The Ultimate Guide to Changing Your Filing Status on TurboTax: A Step-by-Step Journey to Tax Optimization!
Hey there, tax season warriors! Ever felt that nagging doubt after you've started your taxes: "Did I pick the right filing status?" Or maybe life threw a curveball – a new marriage, a divorce, or a new dependent – and now you're wondering how that impacts your tax return. Well, you're not alone! Your filing status is one of the most critical pieces of information on your tax return, directly influencing your standard deduction, tax brackets, eligibility for certain credits, and ultimately, your tax liability or refund.
The good news? If you're using TurboTax, making a change to your filing status, especially before you've officially filed, is usually a straightforward process. Even if you've already filed, there are still avenues to correct it, though they require a bit more effort.
So, are you ready to dive in and ensure you're getting the best possible tax outcome? Let's get started!
Step 1: Assess Your Current Situation and Understand Your Options
Before you click a single button in TurboTax, let's figure out why you're considering a change. Did your marital status shift? Did a new dependent join your household? Understanding the reason will help you determine which filing status you should be using.
Take a moment to consider: What was your marital status on December 31st of the tax year you're filing for? This is the crucial date the IRS uses to determine your status for the entire year.
Here's a quick rundown of the main filing statuses and who typically qualifies:
Single: You are unmarried or legally separated from your spouse under a divorce or separate maintenance decree and do not qualify for another filing status.
Married Filing Jointly (MFJ): You are married, and you and your spouse agree to file one joint return, combining your income and deductions. This is often the most beneficial status for married couples due to higher standard deductions and lower tax rates.
Married Filing Separately (MFS): You are married but choose to file separate returns. This can sometimes be beneficial in specific situations (e.g., one spouse has significant medical expenses, or you want to avoid joint responsibility for tax liability), but often results in a higher overall tax burden compared to filing jointly.
Head of Household (HOH): You are unmarried or considered unmarried on the last day of the year, paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home for the year, and a qualifying person (usually a dependent child) lived with you in the home for more than half the year. This status offers a larger standard deduction and more favorable tax rates than Single.
Qualifying Surviving Spouse (QSS) / Qualifying Widow(er) with Dependent Child: You can use this status for two years after your spouse's death if you have a dependent child and meet certain other requirements. It allows you to use joint return tax rates and the highest standard deduction.
Pro Tip: Sometimes, you might qualify for more than one filing status. In such cases, TurboTax is designed to help you choose the one that results in the lowest tax liability or largest refund. Always aim for that!
Step 2: Navigating TurboTax to Change Your Filing Status (Before Filing)
If you haven't already e-filed or mailed your return, changing your filing status in TurboTax is thankfully quite simple.
Sub-heading 2.1: Accessing the "My Info" Section
Log In to Your TurboTax Account: Go to the TurboTax website (turbotax.intuit.com) and log in with your credentials.
Open Your Return: On your Tax Home screen, locate the tax year you're working on and click to continue your return or take me to my return.
Find "My Info": Look for a navigation menu on the left side of your screen. You should see a section or tab labeled "My Info" or "Personal Info." Click on this.
Sub-heading 2.2: Editing Your Personal Information
Locate Your Name: Within the "My Info" section, you'll see a summary of your personal details. Find your name and look for an "Edit" button or link next to it.
Proceed Through the Interview: Clicking "Edit" will usually take you through a series of screens that ask questions about your personal situation. This is where you'll have the opportunity to update your marital status and other relevant details.
Answer Questions Carefully: TurboTax will guide you with questions to help determine your correct filing status. For instance, if you change from "Single" to "Married," it will ask for your spouse's information. If you're considering "Head of Household," it will ask about dependents and who paid for household expenses. Be precise with your answers, as they directly impact the system's determination of your filing status.
Sub-heading 2.3: Verifying the Change
Once you've updated your information and gone through the relevant questions, TurboTax will automatically adjust your filing status and recalculate your return.
Review Your Summary: After making the changes, go back to your "Tax Home" or a summary screen. Take a moment to carefully review your updated information, including the stated filing status and how it has impacted your refund or tax due amount. You should see the changes reflected immediately.
Run Smart Check/Error Check: Before proceeding to file, it's always a good idea to run TurboTax's "Smart Check" or "Error Check" feature. This will help catch any inconsistencies or errors that might have arisen from the change.
Step 3: What If You've Already Filed Your Return? (Amending Your Return)
This is where things get a little more complex, but still entirely manageable with TurboTax's assistance. If your return has already been accepted by the IRS, you'll need to file an amended tax return using Form 1040-X.
Sub-heading 3.1: Understanding Amended Returns
An amended return is essentially a correction to a tax return you've already submitted. You file it when you need to make changes to your income, deductions, credits, or, as in this case, your filing status.
Important Considerations:
Wait for Acceptance: Do NOT amend your return until your original return has been accepted by the IRS. If it's rejected, you can simply make the changes and re-file the original.
Processing Time: Amended returns take significantly longer to process than original returns (typically 16 weeks or more).
Refund/Payment: If you're expecting a refund from your original return, wait until you receive it before filing the amendment. If you owed taxes, ensure your original payment has been processed.
Three-Year Rule: Generally, you have three years from the date you filed your original return (or the original tax filing deadline, whichever is later) to amend it to claim a refund.
Sub-heading 3.2: Initiating an Amendment in TurboTax Online
Log In to TurboTax: Access your TurboTax account for the tax year you need to amend.
Go to Your Tax Returns & Documents: On your Tax Home screen, scroll down to the section titled "Your tax returns & documents."
Select the Year to Amend: Choose the specific tax year you want to amend.
Find the "Amend" Option: Look for a link or button that says "Amend (change) return" or something similar.
Start the Amendment Process: TurboTax will prompt you to "Amend using TurboTax Online." Click this to begin.
Indicate Your Reason for Amending: You'll be asked why you are amending your return. Select the appropriate reason, which will likely relate to a change in personal information or filing status.
Navigate to "My Info" (Again): Similar to the process before filing, TurboTax will guide you to the "My Info" or "Personal Info" section. Here, you'll make the necessary changes to your filing status.
Make Your Changes: Update your marital status and answer any follow-up questions just as you would have if you were doing it for the first time.
Review and Recheck: TurboTax will calculate the changes and show you how your tax liability or refund has been impacted. Review this thoroughly.
Sub-heading 3.3: Filing Your Amended Return
Print and Mail (Usually): While the IRS is moving towards electronic filing for Form 1040-X, many amended returns still need to be printed and mailed. TurboTax will guide you on whether you can e-file or if you need to print and mail.
If mailing: Ensure you sign the form and attach any necessary supporting documents (like new W-2s or 1099s if the changes affect income). Keep a copy for your records!
State Amended Return: Remember that a change to your federal filing status will almost certainly impact your state tax return. You will likely need to file an amended state return as well. TurboTax will usually help you with this after you've completed your federal amendment.
Step 4: Understanding the Impact and Double-Checking
Changing your filing status isn't just a label; it has tangible financial effects.
Sub-heading 4.1: Financial Implications
Standard Deduction: Each filing status has a different standard deduction amount. For example, Head of Household has a significantly higher standard deduction than Single. Married Filing Jointly also has a much higher standard deduction than Married Filing Separately. A change can increase or decrease this.
Tax Brackets: Your filing status determines which tax brackets apply to your income. Different statuses have different income thresholds for each tax rate, meaning a change can shift you into a lower or higher effective tax rate.
Tax Credits and Deductions: Eligibility for certain tax credits (like the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, education credits) and deductions (like student loan interest) can be affected by your filing status and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
Overall Tax Liability/Refund: All of the above factors combine to determine whether you owe more tax, get a larger refund, or a smaller refund.
Sub-heading 4.2: The Importance of Accuracy
Even a small error in your filing status can lead to significant discrepancies in your tax calculation. This could mean leaving money on the table (a smaller refund or higher tax due than necessary) or, worse, owing the IRS more money and potentially facing penalties and interest down the line.
Always be honest and accurate when answering TurboTax's questions about your personal circumstances. The software relies on your input to determine the most appropriate filing status.
Step 5: Seeking Help If You're Stuck
While TurboTax is designed to be user-friendly, tax situations can sometimes be complex.
Sub-heading 5.1: TurboTax Support Resources
TurboTax Community Forums: The TurboTax website has extensive community forums (ttlc.intuit.com) where users and experts share answers to common questions. A quick search often yields solutions to specific filing status issues.
Help Articles and FAQs: TurboTax's support section is filled with helpful articles and FAQs that break down various tax topics, including filing status.
Live Chat/Phone Support: If you're truly stuck and can't find an answer in the self-help resources, TurboTax offers live chat and phone support, especially for paid versions of their software. Be prepared with your account information and a clear description of your issue.
Sub-heading 5.2: When to Consider Professional Advice
If your situation is particularly unusual or complex (e.g., divorce finalized late in the year with dependent custody issues, or significant income changes that could impact status eligibility), consider consulting a qualified tax professional (like a CPA or Enrolled Agent). They can provide personalized advice to ensure you select the optimal filing status for your unique circumstances.
Congratulations! You've navigated the ins and outs of changing your filing status on TurboTax. Remember, accuracy and understanding your options are key to a stress-free tax season and maximizing your financial well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - How to Change Filing Status on TurboTax
Here are 10 common questions related to changing your filing status on TurboTax:
How to determine my correct filing status for the tax year?
Your filing status is determined by your marital status on December 31st of the tax year. TurboTax will ask you a series of questions about your marital status, dependents, and household expenses to help you select the most advantageous status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, or Qualifying Surviving Spouse).
How to change my filing status in TurboTax before I file my return?
Simply log in to your TurboTax account, go to the "My Info" or "Personal Info" section on the left-hand navigation, and click "Edit" next to your name. You can then update your marital status and answer follow-up questions to change your filing status.
How to amend my federal tax return in TurboTax if I filed with the wrong status?
If your original return was accepted by the IRS, you'll need to file an amended return (Form 1040-X). In TurboTax, go to your "Tax Home," scroll down to "Your tax returns & documents," select the relevant year, and choose "Amend (change) return." Follow the prompts to update your "My Info" section and make the necessary changes.
How to know if changing my filing status will benefit me?
Generally, filing Married Filing Jointly or Head of Household offers larger standard deductions and more favorable tax rates than Single or Married Filing Separately. TurboTax will automatically recalculate your tax liability or refund as you change your status, allowing you to see the financial impact.
How to change from Married Filing Jointly to Married Filing Separately, or vice versa, after filing?
You can amend a return from Married Filing Separately to Married Filing Jointly. However, you generally cannot change from Married Filing Jointly to Married Filing Separately after the original tax filing deadline has passed (unless done prior to the deadline without extensions).
How to change my state filing status after changing my federal filing status?
A change to your federal filing status almost always requires you to file an amended state tax return. After you've completed your federal amendment in TurboTax, the program will usually guide you through the process of amending your state return.
How to check the status of an amended return after changing my filing status?
Amended returns are processed manually by the IRS and can take up to 16 weeks or more. You can check the status using the IRS "Where's My Amended Return?" online tool (irs.gov/wheres-my-amended-return) three weeks after you've mailed or e-filed it.
How to correct a filing status error if my original return was rejected by the IRS?
If your return was rejected, you don't need to amend. Simply go back into your TurboTax account, navigate to the "My Info" section, make the necessary corrections to your filing status, and then re-file your original return.
How to contact TurboTax customer support for help with filing status issues?
You can typically find support options on the TurboTax website (
How to avoid common filing status mistakes in the future?
Always ensure you accurately report your marital status as of December 31st of the tax year. Carefully answer all questions about dependents and household expenses in TurboTax. If you experience significant life changes (marriage, divorce, new child), review the filing status requirements for the upcoming tax year to ensure you choose correctly.