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nosar77
Returning Member

Military Spouse Filing Help!

Me and my wife (Civilian) were stationed in Germany from 2016-2020. We have always filed taxes in GA (This is my HOR). We moved to CA in September in 2020. When my wife got her new job we did not apply for the MSRRA as we were unaware of what it was or how it worked as we were always filing in Georgia, Since October of 2020 CA has been taking taxes from her checks. The problem I'm having is Turbotax is not allowing me to let us file federally and file state separately as she needs to file in CA and not GA. (We will update this so we will always file in GA) I need very simple instructions on how to file my income in GA and my wife income in CA. In addition to this Turbotax keeps trying to set our address as a APO even though the address is a stateside address.

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1 Reply
DanaB27
Expert Alumni

Military Spouse Filing Help!

Please be aware, because of the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act (MSRRA) your wife can still claim GA as residence  and claim her earned income from CA in GA. You will have to file a CA to get a refund of the taxes withheld.

 

Please make sure you entered for both of you GA as the state you lived in under the "My Info" section:

 

  1. Login to your TurboTax Account 
  2. Click "My Info" from the left side of your screen
  3. Click “Edit” next to your name
  4. Please scroll down to “2. Tell us the state(s) you lived in” 
  5. Repeat for your wife.

 

 

You will start with the CA nonresident return:

  1. On the first screen "We've Got Your Situation Covered" check the box that "your wife is taking advantage of the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act"
  2. On the next screen ensure GA is selected for both your legal residence.
  3. Continue until the "Military Pay Adjustment" screen and make sure you military income is excluded.
  4. Continue until Nonresident Adjustments on the "California Wages, Salaries and Tips" screen and make sure you allocate $0 to CA from your wife's income.

After your done with CA start with the GA resident return. Please make sure both your income is reported in GA.

 

To update your address:

  1. Login to your TurboTax Account 
  2. Click "My Info" from the left side of your screen
  3. Please scroll down to “Mailing address”  and click "Edit"
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