In 2025, my husband lived & worked in CA. I lived in KY but didn't work. I only paid property & vehicle taxes in KY. How is this handled Married filing jointly?

Forum|Forum|3 months ago
April 15, 2026
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TurboTax Online

MaryK4

Level 15

Because California is a community property state, filing a joint return when spouses live in different states involves splitting income and handling each state's residency rules differently. File one MFJ return as usual, including all your husband's California (CA) income and any other global income.

You must typically use the same filing status (MFJ) for California that you used for your federal return. Because CA is a community property state, half of your husband's CA-earned income is technically considered your income as well, even if you never stepped foot in the state. You will file Form 540NR (Nonresident/Part-Year Resident) to report this income. Your husband will be treated as a resident, and you will be treated as a nonresident.

Because you were a resident of Kentucky and had no income, you would not have to file a Kentucky tax return.

For the personal property taxes, you can deduct on the federal tax return if you itemize.

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