Yes, you must file a federal with your paper file and it needs to be MFS. All the states and federal share information. States will eventually get the copy you actually filed with the IRS. They need your mock MFS to see how things were divided.
State rules also come into play. MA requires you file MFS since you lived apart while DC says to use the same filing status as the federal unless changing status is better for you financially. MFS is fine for both.
[Edited 4/8/25 | 8:43 am PST ] @MG_2023 Sorry about the wrong state!
**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
