topic Re: Spouse does not work. When filing ... in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Married couple living in different states, filing jointly. Spouse does not work. When filing her state return, it captures my W2 and says we owe money. How to avoid this?

puhrince — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 20:57:12 GMT

Can I not have to file her state return (and delete it)?

If your spouse has no income to declare, you can delete h...

KittyM — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 20:57:13 GMT

If your spouse has no income to declare, you can delete her state return.

Generally, if you and your spouse are filing a joint federal return but you work in or are residents of different states, you need to file separate state returns. Sometimes this is required by state tax law; other times it is to your best interest to not include your non-resident spouse's income on your state return. Otherwise both states may try to tax the same income.

The calculations you need to do can be done in TurboTax online, but it is easier to do them with the desktop software. And you can file up to 5 returns using the desktop software. It will be tedious, but it is the best way to accurately minimize your taxes.

Please follow these instructions from TurboTax on this subject:

You'll prepare one married filing jointly (MFJ) return to file with the IRS.

Prepare a "mock" married filing separate (MFS) tax return for each taxpayer. This is for your records only, and will be used to generate separate state returns for each person. The mock MFS returns are not filed.
Then for the first taxpayer, label and use the first "mock" married filing separate (MFS) federal return to prepare their state MFS return, using only their income and their half of the deductions from the MFJ federal return. This ensures that TurboTax only transfers the first taxpayer's income to their married filing separate state return. File this MFS state return, but not the mock federal return that it pulls the information from.
For the second taxpayer (spouse), label and use the second "mock" MFS federal return to prepare their state MFS return, again using only their income and their half of the deductions from the MFJ federal return.
Again, file the second MFS state return, but not the second mock federal return that it pulls the information from.

Be sure to name each TurboTax federal return so you know the MFJ federal return to file, and which mock MFS federal and state return is for which person.

Note: State returns prepared using the "Mock" federal returns will require you to print and file your state return by mail.

Thank you. I should have clarified - I have filed jointly...

puhrince — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 20:57:15 GMT

Thank you. I should have clarified - I have filed jointly so we had to submit 2 joint state returns (hence I can't delete an individual state return)..so can I delete one of the joint state returns (the state where she resides and does not work) so we are not taxed there as well? Since she does not work, I did not submit any income for her but Turbo Tax still showed we owed taxes in the other state.

Yes, that will work for 2017. In 2018 - if she works - i...

KittyM — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 20:57:16 GMT

Yes, that will work for 2017. In 2018 - if she works - it would be wise to use the "mock" method. Save this thread!

Re: Married couple living in different states, filing jointly. Spouse does not work. When filing her state return, it captures my W2 and says we owe money. How to avoid this?

FaisalLinda — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 20:18:52 GMT

Which desktop software? Cam you provide the link to purchase?

Re: Thank you. I should have clarified - I have filed jointly...

TerukoL — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 21:56:40 GMT

Please click this TurboTax Help link for the TurboTax product guide.

Re: If your spouse has no income to declare, you can delete h...

aajaxcomm — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 16:17:49 GMT

Is there a way to prepare a mock separate federal and later have TurboTax change it to an MJF, or vice versa, to avoid re-entering?

Re: If your spouse has no income to declare, you can delete h...

DavidD66 — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 16:46:33 GMT

Yes, you can start a return as Married Filing Separate (MFS). If you want to be able to view the return or print it, you will have to pay without filing, but you can still make changes after you pay. Once you are done with your mock MFS return, you can go to the My Info section and change your filing status, marriage status, and add your spouse. All of your previously entered information will have been saved and you will not have to re-enter.

Re: Married couple living in different states, filing jointly. Spouse does not work. When filing her state return, it captures my W2 and says we owe money. How to avoid this?

Dbrandibur — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 20:51:10 GMT

My husband lived in a state where there are state taxes for part of the year then moved to my and state, while I lived in a state where there are not state taxes. Can we still use the method described in the answer to file jointly on federal and separate on state as I will not have a state tax return? If so is it done exactly the same as described in the answer here?

Re: Married couple living in different states, filing jointly. Spouse does not work. When filing ...

LeonardS — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 21:22:12 GMT

The following steps will allow you to file jointly on your federal return and file separately on your state return. This procedure will work but you should consider if it is cost effective.

You and your spouse will prepare a federal return with filing status married filing joint, including both spouses’ information. File this federal return.

You will prepare a federal return with filing status married filing separate, including only your information. (Do not file this federal return.) Attach a state return to this federal return so your information will flow to the state return. File this state return.

You will prepare your spouse’s federal return with filing status married filing separate, including only your spouse's information. (Do not file this federal return.) Attach a state return to this federal return so spouse B’s information will flow to the state return. File this state return.

Re: Married couple living in different states, filing jointly. Spouse does not work. When filing ...

bigbadone — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 23:41:54 GMT

Clarifying question: I have read the thread and created a MFJ federal return and two mock MFS returns. My wife, who lives in our jointly owned home in Oregon, must attach her federal return to her state return. (She made no income other than dividends and distributions earned through our joint brokerage account.) Should she attach the MFJ federal return in this case (even though the data is pulled from the mock MFS return and the MFJ return has all my income on it), or will this technique not work for Oregon? Thanks, Bill

Re: Married couple living in different states, filing jointly. Spouse does not work. When filing ...

KrisD15 — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 23:56:43 GMT

No, you can't use the "Fake" Federal returns for anything other than allowing the TurboTax program to do the math for the Separate state returns.

Mail the Oregon state return with a copy of your joint federal return.

Re: Married couple living in different states, filing jointly. Spouse does not work. When filing her state return, it captures my W2 and says we owe money. How to avoid this?

LWeiman — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 17:05:11 GMT

Our scenario:

I work in a state that has no income tax

Husband works in a state that has income tax

We own homes in each state

How do we file federal taxes so that only his income shows on his state return?

Re: Married couple living in different states, filing jointly. Spouse does not work. When filing ...

Jasonxuxin — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 22:33:53 GMT

Hi:

Does this filing method also work for couples with double income but reside in different states?

Re: If your spouse has no income to declare, you can delete h...

ajay4 — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 00:20:24 GMT

Hi,

i work in california and my wife study/work in nebraska. federal will be filing MFJ. but in both states can i file MFJ or MFS ?

checked with California and nebraska state tax agencies, both said i can choose to file MFJ or MFS, which ever is more beneficial to me. is this true ?

if CA state MFJ, will i be resident or non resident ? turbo tax showing me as NR.

thanks.

Re: If your spouse has no income to declare, you can delete h...

vamshi0626 — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 01:45:01 GMT

Hi ajay4,

I am in the same boat. I stay and work in California while my wife works in Texas. Doing MJF for federal. Wondering what about CA tax filing. In our scenario, MJF is beneficial for CA as well but I'm not sure if that is allowed. Also, Turbox tax shows 540NR form. Can you please share your findings. Appreciate your help.

Thanks

Re: If your spouse has no income to declare, you can delete h...

vkr — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 13:51:36 GMT

Hi,

We are in the same situation. I work and live in NC . My spouse work and live in NY. We both own houses in NC and NY. I am using turbotax software download and purchased both states NY and NC.

1. We filed federal tax returns as Married Filling Jointly by efile.

2. For my state NC state tax returns: Created mock Married filling separate and used my income and deductions. Filed only NC state returns by efile.

3. For my spouse NY state tax returns: Created mock Married filling separate and used my spouse's income and deductions. We were not able to efile NY state returns for my spouse because software doesn't recognize federal returns. I guess we have to file it by mail. There is software glitch there for your spouse filing state returns as MFS,=.

But these are following issues we don't have clarity and will be helpful if you can explain.

a. NC state resident (me): Should I also file NY state tax returns as Non-resident?

Mock MFS preparation created mock MFS federal as well as MFS NC and NY tax returns. I filed NC state only by efile. I didn't live in NY in 2020 (expect visiting) but we own house there.

b. NY state resident (spouse): Should my spouse also file NC state tax returns as Non-resident?

Mock MFS preparation created mock MFS federal as well as MFS NY and NC tax returns. Spouse was unable to filed NY state returns by e file.

Thank you

Re: If your spouse has no income to declare, you can delete h...

JohnB5677 — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 14:25:14 GMT

1. It is not a glitch that a state tax return can not be filed unless the Federal return is filled. Many state use the Federal data to actually calculate your tax. In those cases the state must be mailed with the Federal tax attached. (TurboTax does this)

2. No, you do not have to file a NY non-resident return unless you lived or worked there.

3. Similarly, Your wife does not have to file a NY non-resident return.

4. The Mock MFS return should be attached to your state return.

Re: If your spouse has no income to declare, you can delete h...

kurt166 — Sun, 09 May 2021 02:52:01 GMT

Hi @JohnB5677

I have a similar situation but with my spouse lives and works in Colorado and I like and work in NY. I will be filing jointly in my federal (MFJ). But for my state taxes, Colorado requires us to use the same tax filing status (MFJ) as my federal and NY allows us to file Married Filing Separate status (MFS) since I am NY Resident and my wife may be a CO resident. My question is whether I can do the following:

File Federal Income Tax - Married Filing Jointly
File NY State Tax - Married Filing Separately
File CO State Tax - Married Filing Jointly

Is this correct? or Are these filings not allowed as per the NY and CO tax rules? Thanks

Re: If your spouse has no income to declare, you can delete h...

KD6883 — Sun, 09 May 2021 02:36:39 GMT

Hi @vamshi0626 ,

I am in the same boat too. I live and work in CA and my wife live and works in WA (No State Tax) for the entire 2020. We will be filing MFJ - Federal , but for state tax filing - CA , which one is the correct filing ? MFJ gives higher deductions than MFS like you mentioned. Can you help how did you proceed for the same .

Also TurboTax online doesn't show how its considering whether MFJ or MFS for State . If MFJ to be selected , will her WA income also be accounted while filing for CA state tax ?