Discussion:Can we change the order of spouses in MFJ return?
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Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Can we change the order of spouses in MFJ return?
| 5 February 2008 | |
| Another tax professional prepared a return with the wife's income, and filed HOH (two children).
They are not separated. The husband came to me to prepare his return, and I did an amended return including his information and income. I put his name first. He received a letter from the IRS saying that since he didn't filed, we cannot do an amended return. I will have to prepare the amended return naming the wife first. Now I am preparing the 2007 return. Do I have to include the wife's name first? I prefer the order husband-wife, because I am affraid I will mess up, since it's the normal order. Is it possible to file in different order? Thank you | |
| 5 February 2008 | |
| I have known people who INSISTED on filing with the wife's name first. Years ago it used to result in some correspondence, but I should think all the tax authorities would have figured out how to deal with it by now. | |
| 5 February 2008 | |
| Are the subjects of this mess not speaking? it doesn't matter which name goes first...but you have to do a 1040 for the husband as MFS. Wife's return also should be amended to MFS and after the IRS has both in their computer then you amend to a MFJ. On page 2 of the 1040X where you explain the reason for the amended return you explain that the wife's return was erroreously filed as HH, was then amended to 1040X to correct the filing status error and is now being amended from MFS to MFJ.
How did it come about that a pro would file HH? Wifey must have provided inaccurate info. taxea | |
| 5 February 2008 | |
| In my experience it only matters if you try to change mid-stream. E.G., husband's name has been first on prior returns, and wife wants to know why she cannot be listed first. I have known couples also KatieJ where the wife has insisted on being listed first. I explained the potential of federal our tax collector pursuing them with letter correspondence until they wanted to scream, and they decide to leave it alone. Of course there are very high functioning women in our society that deserve better.
In your case it sounds like the wife needs to be always listed first as this is what Uncle Sam is set up for. You won't screw up. Put this client in a different color manila folder with a note on top of the file. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 5 February 2008 |
| If a female client of mine marries a non-client and they continue to use my services, I simply carry on using the same software file, and list him second. There are too many bad things that can happen if I try to create a new file, like missing out on IRA basis if no 8606 was filed with the previous return.
Then there is the other problem which is trying to remember the new file name! Then, too, Karen married Walt in a second marriage in 1995; they had twins the next year, and now Karen is back to being Karen HoH as she and Walt separated in 2005 and are waiting for the final decree. She never changed her name, so my handy "Sandman" file can still be used, with its continuation of depreciation for her home office etc etc. | |
