Limitations

• If you only want to change the information included in a joint return you’ve already filed, the IRS doesn’t impose any deadlines. But if you want to separate out your finances from an already-filed joint return, you can only do so up until the return’s due date. In most cases, this is April 15 of the tax year, unless you’ve requested and received an extension. If you file a joint return on January 15, you have three months to change your mind.
  
  

How to Amend Your Return

• If your husband’s Social Security number appeared first on your initial return, he’s the only one who can file an amended return. You can replace the joint return you filed with two separate married returns if your husband indicates this in the box marked “amended return filing status” on IRS Form 1040X. He would then write all your original numbers from your joint return in column A, and in column B, he would use the numbers reflecting only his own income and deductions. After you submit this to the IRS, you would need to complete a new return of your own, filing married but separately.
  
  If you’re only changing the information in your original return, your husband would just check off “married filing jointly” again and enter the correct numbers in column B. In this case, you wouldn’t have to file your own separate return after submitting Form 1040X.
  
  

Exception

• The IRS makes an exception with the deadline for changing to a married separate return if your husband has died. You can separate your financial information from his and file separate married returns for each of you up to a year after the due date of your original return. You can file Form 1040X yourself, and a new separate return for your husband to cover his income from January 1 to the date of his death. You can sign it on his behalf, noting that he’s deceased.
  
  

Tips

• Your husband might resist filing a 1040X because generally, when married people file separately, their tax liability is greater. If your husband refuses to cooperate and allow you to file a separate return after you’ve already filed a joint one, speak with a tax professional to find out if you have any other options. If you’re still willing to file jointly, but he doesn’t want to amend the numbers, seek the help of a professional to find out how you can limit your exposure if the original joint return is audited.