You are better off filing married filing jointly for the federal and the same for NY because of the lower tax rates and enhanced deductions and credits as opposed to the married filing separately tax return.  However, now that you are living, and therefore a resident of Florida, you will file a part-year NY resident tax return for January-August of 2016. Starting this year, you will only have to file a married filing jointly federal tax return, as Florida has no state income tax.