When preparing a joint return, both taxpayers are connected within the same account. While each individual maintains their own personal tax information, the account itself uses one shared set of contact details.
Because of this structure, certain information is shared across both taxpayers in the return.
Shared Information in Joint Accounts
For joint returns, the following contact details are typically shared at the account level:
Email address
Mailing address
Phone number
These details are linked to the account that manages the return rather than to each taxpayer separately. As a result, any updates to these fields will apply across the entire joint account.
Why This Happens
Joint filing is designed to simplify the tax preparation process for couples. By using shared contact information, the system avoids duplicate entries and ensures that communications and records related to the return remain consistent.
When Separate Contact Information Is Needed
If two taxpayers prefer to maintain completely separate contact information, this would require creating a separate account for the client and preparing separate individual returns instead of filing jointly.
Joint returns are designed to operate within a single shared account environment, which is why contact information such as email, mailing address, and phone number cannot be separated within the same joint account.
Additional Notes and Workarounds
If the mailing address is the only detail that needs to be different, there is a workaround:
Submit one spouse’s return first
After that return is filed, update the other spouse’s mailing address
Then submit the second spouse’s return
This allows the couple to still file jointly while using a different mailing address for the second spouse.