MA State Return - Spouse's AGI

[schaudhuri85]

Hi, 

the MA state income tax form asks for my spouse's adjusted gross income but how do I get this number if he hasn't completed his taxes yet and vice versa? I'm mid turbo tax return and have completed my federal portion, but can't see these numbers until the return is complete. How can we get these calculations?

[JohnW152]

Assuming that you're filing separate returns, you'll just have to wait for -- and perhaps encourage -- your spouse to complete his tax return, at least through the adjusted gross income portion of his return.

That's really all you can do.  You'll need to cooperate for each of you to complete your respective returns.  He'll most likely need your information, too.

According to Federal Adjusted Gross Income in the DFO-02, Personal Individual Tax Preparation Guide For Personal Income Tax Returns PA-40, failure to enter this information will delay the processing of your return.

[schaudhuri85]

yes, we are married filing separately. I just don’t know how either of us will

be able to view this actual number without actually completing both returns on the software (which we can’t do until both of us have each other’s AGI) 

is there a way to see this in the federal section before actually submitting? Or a calculator to get this number?

[JohnW152]

Actually, there is a way.  You and your husband should each complete your federal return, without filing, then work on your state returns.

I obviously don't know what tax program, if any, that your husband is using, but in TurboTax, you can see your federal AGI (which is what Massachusetts is asking for) when you:

1. Sign in to your TurboTax Online account. This takes you to your Tax Home
2. Open your return by selecting Continue or Pick up where you left off in any of the sections on the Hi [Your name], let's keep working on your taxes! page 
3. From here, new options will appear in the left pane
4. Scroll down and select the Tax Tools dropdown
5. Select Tools and the Tools Center popup will appear
6. Select View Tax Summary

Here, you can see your federal adjusted gross income.

If your husband is using a different tax program, there's probably a similar feature there.