Filing status: Single to MFS

[Smitty]

Filed my client as single person. His partner filed MFS and put my client's name & SS number on partner's return, which was prepared by somebody else.  My client's return was rejected, so now, can I change my client's filing status to MFS and resubmit electronically?

[Accountant-Man]

By partner, do you mean married under state law? If not married, neither can file as MFS.

[Smitty]

Yes, married under state law.

[Accountant-Man]

Since it was rejected, yes, change it to MFS and e-file. You will need the partner's info.

[Smitty · Accepted solution]

That was my thinking also, but needed confirmation from more professional person. 

Thank you....

[rbynaker]

Quite often it's more advantageous to file as MFJ than MFS.  Before I hit send on an MFS return I would take a step back and look at the bigger picture here.  Why are they filing MFS?  Possibly because nobody told them about MFJ.