It depends on what you mean by “lived with my partner."
If you are just “living together” without any type of formally recognized arrangement then you can never file together.
For federal tax, you can’t file a joint return unless you are married. The IRS does not recognize registered domestic partnerships, civil unions, or other similar formal relationships that are not marriages under state law.
Some states do recognize common law marriages (as awesome community member @Butty-012249 says), along with other arrangements.
Learn more at:
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Registered Domestic Partners and Individuals in Civil Unio...
State Tax Filing for Same-Sex Couples
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