State tax return filing status

[jschem06]

I live and work in MA. My wife moved in with me in December 2016 from a foreign country and she didn't have income from any states during 2016. Do we have to file separately for MA state tax 2016, since we don't have 'a Massachusetts taxable year that begins and ends on the same day'? 

Does my wife need to file a MA tax return? She only lived in MA for 10 days during 2016. 

[linear · Accepted solution]

Yes, you do have to file separately in MA, but it is unlikely that your wife had enough income in the 10 days she lived in MA in 2016 to have a filing requirement.

You can find the income requirement information here:

http://www.mass.gov/dor/individuals/filing-and-payment-information/guide-to-personal-income-tax/fili...