Married Filing Jointly for Federal and separately for state

[sandipan_b2002]

My wife and I live and work in different states. So, we filed Married Filing Jointly for Federal (via the website), and then after doing some online reading it seems that the way to do Married but filing separately for the state is to create a "mock" Federal return for each of our state returns. It also mentioned online that the Desktop Software is better for this.

I paid for and downloaded the desktop software and paid for downloading the process for each software, and then started working on one (paid to get Live Advice), and reached the stage to file, but it wont file and shows the below message. Ofcourse the federal return I submitted does not match but that is the point because Federal one is jointly filed and state ones are married but fling separately.

I dont know what else to do here. Any help would be appreciated. I just dont want to pay any more money without getting this thing done.

Your transmission didn't go through We could not e-file your return for the following reason: A Federal return that matches this state return could not be found.

[DianeW777]

If you e-filed your federal return as Married Filing Jointly, but want to file your state returns as Married Filing Separately, only one state return can be e-filed. The other will have to be paper-filed.

• Can I e-file my state return without the federal?

In your situation, paper filing for one state is your only option, and the best since filing separately was the best results for you.

Please use the link below to contact TurboTax about this misunderstanding.

• How do I contact TurboTax?

[sandipan_b2002]

"If you e-filed your federal return as Married Filing Jointly, but want to file your state returns as Married Filing Separately, only one state return can be e-filed. The other will have to be paper-filed."

How do I even e-file even one? Because my Federal return is different, and neither of the state returns would match the Federal one, because both will have separate income and separate type (MFJ for Fed and MFS for state) will not match. How do I get around that?

[DianeW777]

Once you select change your filing status choosing to file as married filing separately, then you should also have follow up screens allowing your to change the income amounts or only the amounts from the spouse who is filing should flow to the state. You must use the tax file with the federally accepted tax return to e-file one state return.

Every state is different in the way they handle the income changes when the filing status changes and is different than federal. 

If you would like to send us a “diagnostic” file that has your “numbers” but not your personal information it would help.  If you would like to do this, here are the instructions: 

TurboTax Online:

Open your return -Go to the menu panel on the left side of your return and select Tax Tools. 

1. Then select Tools below Tax Tools. 
2. A window will pop up which says Tools Center.  
3. On this screen, select Share my file with Agent. 
4. You will see a message explaining what the diagnostic copy is.  Click okay through this screen and then you will get a Token number. 
5. Reply to this thread with your Token number and your state. This will allow us to open a copy of your return without seeing any personal information.  

TurboTax Desktop:

If you like, you can send a copy of your return that will be scrubbed to eliminate your personal data by using these steps:

1. Click on Online in the top left menu of TurboTax CD/Download for Windows
2. Select 'Send Tax File to Agent'
3. Write down or send an image of your token number and state then place in this issue.
4. We can then review your exact scenario for a solution.
5. Please also tell us any states included in the return. This is necessary for us to view the return.

We will then be able to see exactly what you are seeing and we can determine what exactly is going on in your return and provide you with a resolution. 

@sandipan_b2002 

[sandipan_b2002]

Thank you. One more question:

"You must use the tax file with the federally accepted tax return to e-file one state return."

--This is the crux of the problem. Because, for the state return I am having to edit the already  Federal income to create the "mock" one so the original filed Federal return is no longer there. And this is why it is throwing the error message that the state return does not match.

[VolvoGirl]

Are you using the Online version or the Desktop installed program?

If you need to file a Joint federal and separate state returns

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-prepare-a-joint-federal-return-and-se...

Reading the FAQ it looks like you have to use 3 accounts.  One to file the Joint federal return.  Then you each need another account to fill out fake federal MFS returns to do your separate state returns.    So you will have to PAY for 3 online accounts (3 federal returns and 2 state returns).  That's why it's cheaper to use the Desktop installed program.    If you don't have a computer to install the desktop program on maybe it would be cheaper and easier to go to a local accountant or tax place.

You will have to mail the 2 separate state returns.   

[sandipan_b2002]

I am using the Desktop system.