My spouse has made a mistake and filed a return with status "Married Filing Separately." I am yet to file my returns and we would like to fix this by filing jointly. My question is about how we should go about this.

Should I submit my return under the status MFS and then one of us submits an amended return: 1040X+1040 (MFJ) ? In this case, should we show both of our incomes in column A of 1040X?

Or, should my spouse just file an amended return: 1040X+1040 (MFJ)? Would this count as me filing a return?

Thanks.

File an amended return and add your return to it, making it a joint return.

The amendment will have to be mailed, with the resultant delay in getting the refund.

If you believe this is beyond your skill set, this IS what I do. Please contact me at the email address in my profile.

Thank you for your reply.

Should I (who is yet to file) be the primary taxpayer or my spouse (who has already filed) be the primary on 1040X and 1040 (new joint)?

Thanks.

Make your wife (who has filed) the primary taxpayer, because then her SSN will be the reference tax ID #. Less confusion that way!