Where to Find and Change Your Filing Status

Your filing status in TurboTax lives in the personal information section, which you reach early in the interview process. When you first open TurboTax and begin entering your tax information, the program asks for basic details about yourself — name, address, Social Security number. Filing status appears in this same section, usually on the second or third screen after you confirm your personal details.

To change it after you've already entered information, go to the Federal Taxes tab (or Taxes if you're using TurboTax Free or a mobile app), then select Personal Information from the left menu. Your current filing status will appear as a radio button or dropdown menu. Click the button next to the status you want instead, and TurboTax will update your return when ready. The program recalculates your tax liability and refund based on the new status within seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Filing status is in the Personal Information section under Federal Taxes, accessible from the left menu at any point during your return.
  • TurboTax shows you the tax difference between statuses so you can see which one saves you the most money or results in the largest refund.
  • If you're married, you can file as Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately, and changing between them updates your entire return automatically.
  • Head of Household status requires that you paid more than half the household expenses and had a dependent living with you for more than half the year.
  • You can change your filing status as many times as you want before you submit your return to the IRS.

The Five Filing Status Options and What They Mean

TurboTax offers five filing statuses: Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, and may have access to Widow(er). Single applies if you were unmarried on December 31 of the tax year. Married Filing Jointly is available if you were married on that date and want to file together with your spouse. Married Filing Separately lets you file as a married couple but on separate returns — this sometimes lowers your total tax, but often raises it, so TurboTax shows you both numbers.

Head of Household applies if you paid more than half the costs of running your household and had a dependent (usually a child or parent) living with you for more than half the year. may have access to Widow(er) is available for two years after your spouse's death if you have a dependent child and paid more than half household expenses. TurboTax will ask follow-up questions to confirm you meet the requirements for Head of Household or may have access to Widow(er) status — answer honestly, because the IRS verifies these claims.

How TurboTax Shows You the Tax Impact of Changing Status

When you change your filing status, TurboTax recalculates your federal tax, standard deduction, and refund or amount owed. The program displays these numbers in the Personal Information section so you can compare statuses side by side. If you file as Single, you'll see your tax bill. Switch to Head of Household, and you'll when ready see whether that status results in a lower tax or higher refund.

This comparison is useful if you're unsure which status you may have access to for. For example, if you're recently divorced and wondering whether you can claim Head of Household, you can enter that status and see what information TurboTax asks for. If the program says you don't meet the requirements, it will explain why — usually because you didn't have a may have access to dependent or didn't pay enough household expenses. You can then switch back to Single and continue with your return.

Changing Status When You're Married and Filing Separately

If you and your spouse are filing separate returns, each of you will have your own TurboTax account or file. One spouse selects Married Filing Separately, and the other does the same. TurboTax will ask whether you want to claim certain deductions and credits — some are not available when you file separately, and the program will warn you about these restrictions.

If you change your mind and decide to file jointly instead, you'll need to change the status in both returns. Start with one spouse's return: go to Personal Information, select Married Filing Jointly, and save. Then open the other spouse's return and make the same change. TurboTax will recalculate both returns based on the new joint status. You cannot file one return as Married Filing Jointly and the other as Married Filing Separately — the IRS requires both spouses to use the same status.

What Happens If You Choose the Wrong Status by Mistake

Choosing the wrong filing status before you submit your return is straightforward to fix — just go back to Personal Information and select the correct one. TurboTax updates your entire return when ready. However, if you've already submitted your return to the IRS and realize you used the wrong status, you'll need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X. This is a separate document that tells the IRS you're correcting your original return.

Filing an amended return takes longer to process than an original return — usually eight to twelve weeks instead of the standard two to three weeks. You can file the amended return yourself through TurboTax (the program has an option for amended returns) or by mail. The sooner you file it, the sooner the IRS can process your correction and send any additional refund you're owed.

Common Mistakes When Selecting Filing Status

The most common mistake is filing as Single when you should file as Head of Household. Many people don't realize that Head of Household status is available to unmarried people who support a household, and they miss out on a lower tax rate and higher standard deduction. If you're unmarried, paid more than half your household expenses, and had a dependent living with you, check Head of Household before you finalize your return.

Another frequent error is married couples filing separately when they should file jointly. Married Filing Separately usually results in a higher combined tax because you lose access to several credits and deductions. TurboTax will show you the tax difference, so compare the two before you submit. A third mistake is claiming may have access to Widow(er) status when you've remarried — this status is only available if you remain unmarried in the years after your spouse's death.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my filing status after I've submitted my return to the IRS?

Yes, but you'll need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X. TurboTax has an option to prepare an amended return. The IRS will process it separately from your original return, which takes longer. It's much faster to change your status before you submit.

What if I'm not sure whether I may have access to for Head of Household?

Enter Head of Household in TurboTax and answer the follow-up questions about your dependent and household expenses. If you don't meet the requirements, TurboTax will tell you and suggest Single instead. You can also call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to confirm your status before you file.

Do I have to file as Married Filing Jointly if I'm married?

No. You can file as Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately. Both spouses must use the same status on their returns. Married Filing Separately usually costs more in taxes, but TurboTax will show you the difference so you can decide.

What if my spouse and I disagree on the filing status?

Both spouses must agree on the filing status. If one spouse wants to file separately and the other wants to file jointly, you'll need to decide together. TurboTax shows the tax impact of each option so you can see which saves more money.

Can I file as Head of Household if my dependent is my parent?

Yes, if your parent lived with you for more than half the year and you paid more than half the household expenses. TurboTax will ask whether your dependent is a child or other relative, so select the option that matches your situation and answer the follow-up questions.