Spouse filed MFS, Taxpayer hasn't filed yet. Need to file MFJ.

[fcwm]

I have a client that is just now filing his 2019 return. His wife, unbeknownst to him, filed a 2019 return on her own. It is unclear what status she filed as, but suspect MFS or Single. She did not claim their child. She did not even have any income. Presumably, she filed to get her stimulus check. The taxpayer has not filed his own return yet. How do I go about filing a MFJ return for them both?

[itonewbie]

Get hold of a copy of her return and file a 1040X?

[fcwm]

Considering the taxpayer hasn't filed anything for 2019, only the spouse, is an amendment appropriate?

[PhoebeRoberts · Accepted solution]

She filed; now she's the taxpayer. You amend her return to add his. If he'd wanted to be the taxpayer, he should have filed a return.