@JimO2 -
You ARE fully disclosing your residency status! you are not hiding anything!
We can infer from the NR instructions, this is the correct approach. Look at Page 2 of Form NR, under 'exemption allowance" it states:
"Use lines 15 through 19 to figure your prorated exemption allowance. NOTE: If one spouse was a full-year Michigan resident and the other a part-year or nonresident, and you are filing a joint return, complete Worksheet 6. Do not complete lines 15 through 18."
why would they print this on the NR form, if they didn't expect Michgan residents with Non-resident spouses to complete the form in the manner you have?
the only other comfort to be had is to call the State of MI revenue office and just ask, "hey, if my spouse is a non-resident and I am a resident, what box am I to check - 8a or 8b?"
