guywithquestions
Returning Member

Turbo Tax determining maximum deduction

Hi,

Dual income no kids. Disparate high wage earners.

Turbo Tax picked married filing jointly and we owe a ton of federal tax, and get a very small state refund.
If I change filing status to married filing separate, federal tax liability goes way down, and state refund goes way up.

Why doesn't Turbo Tax pick the option for maximum refund?  How do I know what is the right filing status?