Performing an MFS split

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You can separate the data for a joint plan into separate taxpayer / spouse alternatives within the plan.

Note: This function is not available in a TCJA Comparison Plan, an S Corp Comparison plan, or when a plan is viewed with a single base year. If you are viewing your plan with a single base year, toggle out of single base year view by choosing View > Single Base Year before performing the following procedure.

  1. Choose Tools > MFS Split. The MFS Split dialog opens.
  2. In the Alternative field, select an alternative for married filing separate analysis from the drop-down list and click OK. Two new taxpayer and spouse alternatives are created in the plan.

    Planner CS splits the data entered in data-entry fields in one of the following ways:

    • Data specific to the taxpayer or spouse is transferred to the respective alternative. For example, taxpayer wages are transferred to the taxpayer alternative.
    • Amounts in data-entry fields that are not specific to the taxpayer or spouse (for example, the Regular interest field) are transferred to the taxpayer alternative by default. However, you can double-click those fields to open a window in which you can allocate those amounts to the spouse if needed. See Entering plan data for more information.

      Note: Community property laws in the resident state may affect how certain items of income and expense should be allocated to the taxpayer and spouse. The MFS split command in Planner CS does not automatically take into account the rules for a community property state. For certain items, such as interest income, you can allocate 1/2 to the taxpayer and 1/2 to the spouse in the MFJ column before you run the MFS split. For other items, such as wages, you'll need to manually adjust wage income in the taxpayer and spouse MFS columns after you run the MFS split.

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