State tax filing

Ok, here is how you can do this.  If you are using Turbo Tax Online, there is not a way to indicate that you wish to married filing separately in Massachusetts while filing jointly. Before you run off to H&R however, there is a way you can do this however but you must be willing to switch to a Turbo Tax Desktop product. Here you can transfer your online file to the desktop file and file your separate returns in the same product. You must be willing to pay for your software upfront but you will have the ability to change to married filing separately in the Information Worksheet in your Massachusetts state return. Follow these precise instructions on how to do this.

1. Save your online return as a tax data file.by going to tools>Save your 2019 return to your computer. Be sure to note which folder this is being saved to
2. Sign out of TurboTax Online.
3. Install your 2019 TurboTax software you will need to click on the link below to access the product screen
   • If you have not purchased TurboTax Desktop software, select the product you need to complete your return.
   • Important: If your return includes a state, make sure you also install the corresponding state program(s), otherwise you'll get Error 539.
4. Once installed, choose File then Open Tax Return in the software.
5. Browse to where you saved your .tax2019 file, select it, and then select Open.
6. If you get an error, delete your tax data file and repeat these steps from the beginning.
7. Once you have your Turbo Tax software installed and your tax data populates into the return, select the forms mode in the right hand corner of your screen, if you are using windows. If you are using Mac, go to view>go to forms.
8. Find the information worksheet in the Massachusetts state return and go to part 3 and select married filing separately
9. If the dependent care credit is entered in the federal return, it will show up as a deduction in line 12 in your Massachusetts Form 1
10. Since you have the software, your spouse can file a separate Married File Separate return in the same software and using the same process in loading the same tax file in their return.

I know this may seem overwhelming but it is worth it. Be sure to reach out for phone support for further assistance if you need to. Please select this link for information to contact phone support.