"TurboTax 2015 can handle your situation just fine""; the reason for this question is that based on experience it is not as simple as that. Take a look at the instructions provided for a couple filing jointly in 2015: https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901214-how-do-i-prepare-a-joint-federal-return-and-separate-state....
Having used the 2015 desktop (download) Turbotax tool with the instructions provided in the link above, a) the process was cumbersome and b) produced results that one of the states is questioning, four years later. If I may, let me provide a summary of the outputs when you follow the instructions...
a) The Federal Tax return shows the combined incomes for both husband and wife (H+W); b) the individual state returns show only the income earned by each member in each state. State 1 returns show the husband's income and not wife's income while state 2 return shows wife's income only. (See the instructions for preparing the returns.) What ends up happening is that the gross taxable income for each of the states returns differs from the federal return which shows the combined earning. Let's put hypothetical numbers: Husband, state of Oklahoma, taxable income all earned in OK = $2,300; Wife (income earned in Virginia where she also paid full withholding taxes) = $66,700. Gross 69,000.
Although the instructions are cumbersome, they are quire clear as provided in the link (https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901214-how-do-i-prepare-a-joint-federal-return-and-separate-state...); however, the outputs appear to be confusing. How does one close the gaps without filing separately? Your thoughts are invaluable.
