Do I have to file a state tax return for Maryland?

[tgsis1453]

My husband lives and works in New York State. I am a graduate student with no income, and am currently living with him, but I kept my Maryland residency for voting, etc. We plan to file jointly for our federal taxes, but we're not sure how to deal with our state taxes. Since he has no Maryland-based income, and is not a Maryland resident, and because I (a Maryland resident) received no income, does this mean we don't have to file any returns in Maryland? Would it make more sense to file separately for federal then?

[MaryK1]

You do not have to file a Maryland state tax return if you made less than $10,400.  You can choose to file your federal tax return jointly- Maryland does not require you to use the same filing status if you and your spouse have different domiciles so only your income is used to determine your filing threshold. (In general, it is better to file a joint tax return unless a specific reason for not doing so applies)