1st time filing jointly. In section "Refunds Received for State/Local Tax Returns". Last year, my spouse got a refund. However, I had to pay. How do I fill this out?

[John Doe]

We got married and are filing jointly this year for the first time. Currently in the Federal "Refunds Received for State/Local Tax Returns" section. Last year, my spouse received a refund, but I had the opposite situation and had to pay extra. How do we fill out this section in that scenario?

Do I add a refund summary for her. Then "Add Another State or Local Tax Refund" for me?

OR

Do I just add one and calculate the combined numbers for "Total Refund Received in 2017" and "Total of all your payments and withholding"?

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It seems very confusing, because the first time I go through it, it eventually asks:
"Did Any of These Apply to You?". One option is "We made a payment when we filed our 2016 Massachusetts tax return". The question says "You", but the answer says "We" and implies we filed jointly last year (we did not). *I* made a payment last year, but *she* did not. So I'm all around unsure of what to do.

[Rachel_W]

Yes, you will add in your wife's refund in the section "Refunds Received for State/Local Tax Returns".  Her State Refund will only be taxable if she itemized last year.

As for your State Tax Payment from last year, you will enter that amount under the option you mentioned above "We made a payment when we filed our 2016 MA Tax Return.  This amount will be deductible on Schedule A if you Itemize Your Deductions.

You were on the right track but were understandably thrown off by the use of "we" instead of "you"!  Because this is your first year filing together, the wording can be a little confusing.  Everything is combined when you file a Joint Return and the program doesn't differentiate between first time Joint Filers and Filers that have filed Joint for years. 

If you have any other questions regarding last year's State Refund or Balance Due please comment below so I can help you further.

[msj2]

We are also filing jointly for the first time. Last year we both took the standard deduction (when filing single), and my state refund and withholding was automatically entered into the form (we're using my account). Because my husband didn't itemize he doesn't have a 1099g, and it does not allow us to enter a second state refund for the same state. Should we manually add the two state refunds together (along with the withholdings) or just leave it as just mine?

[JoannaB2]

Yes, you only need to enter the amount of state refund received on the State/Local State Tax refunds section one at a time, if more than one.  If you did not itemize deductions on your Federal Income Tax return for the tax year indicated on Box 3 of 1099G, then you don't need to claim the amount on the 1099G.  

See,do i need to report the state or local refund, for additional infomation..