My spouse and I live in MA and DC resp. We filed our federal taxes as "MFJ" and are doing our state taxes as "MFS". For DC returns, do I need to attach the federal MFJ?

[MG_2023]

My spouse and I live in different states (MA and DC respectively), so we filed our federal taxes as "Married File Jointly" and state taxes as "Married Filing Separately". For DC, turbotax has intsructed to attach my federal returns. In that case, is it okay to attache the MFJ returns?

[MonikaK1]

Yes, you can attach the Federal MFJ return to the state/DC return.

Please see this help article for instructions on filing joint Federal and separate State returns.

Although state returns can be e-filed with your federal return (or after your federal return has already been accepted), it's no longer possible to e-file state returns before the federal.

This adds an extra layer of security to all e-filed state returns. This also means you won't be able to e-file your state if your federal return was, or will be, paper-filed.

If you e-filed your federal return as Married Filing Jointly, but want to file your state returns as Married Filing Separately, only one state return can be e-filed. The other will have to be paper-filed.

Federal returns are not affected by this security measure and can be e-filed with or without a state.

[MG_2023]

Thanks @MonikaK1 

To clarify: We have already e-filed our federal taxes as "MFJ", but since we both live in separate states, are planning to paper file our state taxes as "MFS". Last year, turbotax did not instruct me to attach my federal returns, but has specifically asked me to do so this year. So my question is - is it mandatory to attach the federal return this year? And if yes, would there be any issues if I attach my federal returns filed as MFJ? 

[AmyC]

Yes, you must file a federal with your paper file and it needs to be MFS.  All the states and federal share information. States will eventually get the copy you actually filed with the IRS. They need your mock MFS to see how things were divided.

State rules also come into play. MA requires you file MFS since you lived apart while DC says to use the same filing status as the federal unless changing status is better for you financially.  MFS is fine for both.

[Edited 4/8/25 | 8:43 am PST ]  @MG_2023      Sorry about the wrong state!

[MG_2023]

@AmyC 

Hi - Thanks! To clarify - I live in DC and my spouse lives in MA (Massachusetts) and not MD. We have already filed our federal taxes jointly. Since we both live in different states, we are filing our state taxes as Married Filing Separately. I have used turbotax last year as well (federal MFJ and state MFS) - and it did not ask me to submit my federal returns alongwith my state filing for DC. This year, they have asked me to  - so do I submit the actual MFJ returns or the mock MFS federal one that I used to prepare my DC tax filing?

[AmyC]

The mock returns should be filed.