How to file Amended tax return 1040?

[shahzadb]

I have 1040 as joint return to file for 2019. In the past, Wife was the primary taxpayer & husband name was spouse line. Because husband didn’t have job

in 2019, husband filed his return by himself. And wife didn’t. Now they want to file as joint for 2019.

do I amend husband return? Or does wife return? Confusion here is that, wife didn’t file in 2019 & so what’s she amending?

They both had income 2019, worked in different states & lived together in same house > 6 month.

 

[Taxing Matters]

I have 1040 as joint return to file for 2019. In the past, Wife was the primary taxpayer & husband name was spouse line. Because husband didn’t have job

in 2019, husband filed his return by himself. And wife didn’t. Now they want to file as joint for 2019.

do I amend husband return? Or does wife return? Confusion here is that, wife didn’t file in 2019 & so what’s she amending?

They both had income 2019, worked in different states & lived together in same house > 6 month.

The husband's married filing separate return would be amended to a joint return. Both would need to sign the return If you are not the couple involved here and are not a tax professional then I suggest you refer them to a tax professional to get this done correctly. There is a particular way to do this to get it right and I can't walk you through step by step here.

 

[shahzadb]

The husband's married filing separate return would be amended to a joint return. Both would need to sign the return If you are not the couple involved here and are not a tax professional then I suggest you refer them to a tax professional to get this done correctly. There is a particular way to do this to get it right and I can't walk you through step by step here.

Thanks

that would make husband primary taxpayer? I’m sure the couples don’t want to have switch that

 

[LdiJ]

I have 1040 as joint return to file for 2019. In the past, Wife was the primary taxpayer & husband name was spouse line. Because husband didn’t have job

in 2019, husband filed his return by himself. And wife didn’t. Now they want to file as joint for 2019.

do I amend husband return? Or does wife return? Confusion here is that, wife didn’t file in 2019 & so what’s she amending?

They both had income 2019, worked in different states & lived together in same house > 6 month.

The husband's return should be amended to add the wife and the wife's income/tax attributes to the return.

 

[Taxing Matters]

Thanks

that would make husband primary taxpayer? I’m sure the couples don’t want to have switch that

Which name comes first on a joint return doesn't make much difference. What is their concern about that? In any event, if you aren't a tax professional and this isn't your return then you really need to tell them to see a tax pro for this.

 

[shahzadb]

Which name comes first on a joint return doesn't make much difference. What is their concern about that? In any event, if you aren't a tax professional and this isn't your return then you really need to tell them to see a tax pro for this.

they will get tax refund and name would be primary & secondary person. They prefer to have wife name first.

 

[Taxing Matters]

they will get tax refund and name would be primary & secondary person. They prefer to have wife name first.

What difference does that make? It doesn't change at all what they can do with the check. Moreover, they can have the refund electronically deposited into their account if they wish, and the name order doesn't matter for that.

 

[davew9128]

Which name comes first on a joint return doesn't make much difference.

Legally it doesn't. From an IRS systems standpoint...well I think you know the answer as well as I do.

 

[LdiJ]

they will get tax refund and name would be primary & secondary person. They prefer to have wife name first.

Why? Why do they believe that it matters?

 

[Taxing Matters]

Legally it doesn't. From an IRS systems standpoint...well I think you know the answer as well as I do.

Even from a systems standpoint, while it affects a few things, it's not something most taxpayers will ever notice. Hence why I said it doesn't make "much difference". And as you noted, legally it makes no difference at all.