Hello, I've tried calling the IRS for weeks now and their online help form is down, of course. Hoping someone can help me.

I filed my return under the wrong status (married "jointly") instead of "separately". I sent in my amended return 1040x last week. I see that the IRS is saying up to 16 weeks processing time this year. Well, b/c I did this error, my husband went to file his own tax return (also "separately") but the system rejected his return saying that ss# was already submitted and that he would have to mail in a paper return.

Here is my Question: Can he just mail in his regular 1040 return or will he also need to now file an amended return 1040X?

What a nightmare of a mistake Thanks for the help!

A separate return includes a return filed by you or your spouse claiming married filing separately filing status. These are the procedures to follow as you are making the change before the due date of the return. The person with the primary SSN# ,the first number listed on the return, will need to file Form 1040X .. Make sure you show the original filing status as MFJ and the new filing status as MFS. Start with the numbers on the joint return in Column A and show the adjustments in Column B to remove your spouse's income and deductions. The person with the secondary social security number ,the second number listed on the return, will need to file a new return with a filing status of MFS and show his or her own income and deductions.


The return has already been processed. Once you have filed your tax return as MFJ, you can’t amend your filing status after the Apr 15th deadline. Any change to filing status has to be done before the deadline. This deadline DOES NOT include any filing extensions. even if there's an extension. The only exception to this rule is an executor electing an MFS for the decendent after April 15th. Most people will pay more taxes by using the filing status married filing separately. Just make sure you understand all the ramifications before making this changeIf you are filing as Married Filing Separately, if one spouse itemizes the deductions, the other spouse can't claim standard deduction.