This older TurboTax tips article on RDP still has some good information.
Regardless of what state you live in, each domestic partner prepares a separate federal return based on the Allocation Worksheet that you attach to it. You might consider including an explanatory note to remind the IRS of your situation.
The creation of a “mock” federal return that reflects joint-filing status is just to get the numbers you need to fill in the sections of your state return that use numbers from a "married filing jointly" federal return. This ”mock” federal return never goes to the IRS; you submit it with your California state return.
See here for California FTB information on married or RDP filing separately.
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