topic Why does my wife owe in the state of VA if her state of residence is CA? She’s active duty military and stationed in VA. in Tax help for military filers

Why does my wife owe in the state of VA if her state of residence is CA? She’s active duty military and stationed in VA.

kametoast — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:21:47 GMT

My wife and I are separated and both filing married but separate. She’s active duty military and her residence is CA but stationed in VA. Why is she paying VA taxes on this years filing?

Re: Why does my wife owe in the state of VA if her state of residence is CA? She’s active duty mi...

DanaB27 — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 16:19:44 GMT

Yes, your wife should not need to file a Virginia state return if she didn't have any other VA income (side job, etc). Only her State of Legal Residence has the right to tax her military income but California won't tax her military income while stationed outside California.

Please make sure she selected only California as her State of Residence:

Login to your TurboTax Account
Click "My Info" from the left side of your screen
Click “Edit” next to your name
Please scroll down to “State of residence”
Select "California"
Select "No" to "I lived in another state in 2022."

If your wife didn't have any other Virginia income then she can delete her VA state return.

Please see What is my military state of residence? and Civilian pay earned by active duty military for additional information.

Re: Why does my wife owe in the state of VA if her state of residence is CA? She’s active duty mi...

kametoast — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 16:22:31 GMT

I believe she put the information in as you explained but it’s saying she owes in VA taxes.

Re: Why does my wife owe in the state of VA if her state of residence is CA? She’s active duty mi...

TomD8 — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 16:51:28 GMT

In the My Info section, be sure she checked "Yes" to the statement "Served in the U.S. Armed Forces in 2022".

Remember that only her military pay is exempt from Virginia taxation.