LorianneH Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Hello, I have a married couple as clients who request that I prepare their returns as Married filing separate and then prepare a third return as Married filing joint to determine which gives the best tax benefit. My question is--with ATX is it possible to do the two separate returns and then somehow merge them into a Married filing joint return, or do I have to do all three returns manually? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Michael Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 While in the return go to Forms/Planning and Analysis/Married vs. Separate. You have to make sure you have inputs coded correctly as to J/F/S. There are also some manual adjustments you have to make. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaB Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 While in the return go to Forms/Planning and Analysis/Married vs. Separate. You have to make sure you have inputs coded correctly as to J/F/S. There are also some manual adjustments you have to make.That is exactly right, but it's easy to miss the manual adjustments, and clients may not be able to get their heads around the worksheet. I would do the MFJ first, then duplicate it twice and delete info for hubby on one and wifey on the other. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathy Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 MFS in community property states has special rules. Also, if clients lived together and had social security income and file MFS, they pay taxes on 100% of their SS...fringe benefit! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorianneH Posted April 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 That is exactly right, but it's easy to miss the manual adjustments, and clients may not be able to get their heads around the worksheet. I would do the MFJ first, then duplicate it twice and delete info for hubby on one and wifey on the other. Thank you for the advice. I'm going to try it this way. Unfortunately, there is going to be a lot of info to delete for both, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaB Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 Thank you for the advice. I'm going to try it this way. Unfortunately, there is going to be a lot of info to delete for both, lol.Yeah, I've got one I'm gonna have to do, too: "But my sister and her husband file separately and split the kids and they 'make bank.'"Mmmmm hmmmmm, betcha a dollar to a donut one or both spouses is filing HOH, and the other Single. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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