H of H now to MFJ later

[LCP]

New client has lived apart from her husband for three years. There are issues with his tax info ...... a complicated situation involving a small business that has changed hands somehow......no one quite knows exactly how yet.

I'm considering filing head of household for her, especially if we can amend to MFJ later if it helps. She is anxcious to file because of the FAFSA.

I know that you can file MFS and then amend it to MFJ later (but not the other way around). It would seem that the same "logic" would allow us to do what I propose.

[Possi]

Um, no.

MFJ to MFS is ok... not the other way around.

I don't know of any reason you could not go from HH to MFJ except that it sounds like a really bad idea. If she is poised to receive EIC because of HH filing status, I most certainly would not do it.

[Dusty2004]

Is she eligible to file HOH

Ignore - missed part of the question
Dusty

[spanel]

MFJ to MFS is ok... not the other way around.

I don't know of any reason you could not go from HH to MFJ except that it sounds like a really bad idea. If she is poised to receive EIC because of HH filing status, I most certainly would not do it.

Umm Double No... You can go from MFS to MFJ... You can only Separate a MFJ return until 4/15 of that tax year.

Chris

[Possi]

Um, yes.

Umm Double No... You can go from MFS to MFJ... You can only Separate a MFJ return until 4/15 of that tax year.

Chris

OMGosh, my brain went numb! LOL

[LCP]

Umm Double No... You can go from MFS to MFJ... You can only Separate a MFJ return until 4/15 of that tax year.

Chris

But can you go from H of H and MFS to MFJ ?

[spanel]

But can you go from H of H and MFS to MFJ ?

Yes. You just cant go from MFJ to MFS/HH after 4/15.

Chris