married filing jointly state returns

[mere73]

My husband lives in a different state. When I calculate my state return, it is recognizing his income in my state and telling me I did not pay enough in taxes. How do I adjust this? Do we have to file separately?

[KarenM90]

It depends on the particular state if you can adjust it, and if you can (or have to) file separately.

Some states require couples to file separate state taxes, even after filing joint tax returns, if one spouse lived in a different state.

States such as New Jersey give the couple the option to file jointly as if both were residents of the state the previous year.

Community Property states often require all "community income" to be split between both spouses.

Here is more details about community property states:  Community Property States

[VolvoGirl]

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 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.

Online is only good for 1 return per account.  But you can use the same email address for 5 accounts.   How to start another return in the Online version

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-start-another-return-in-turbotax-onli...

Or buy the Desktop CD/Download program here

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

[mere73]

Do you know the states that do not allow you to file federal taxes jointly and state taxes separately? I am in Illinois and my husband is in Wisconsin.

[MaryK4]

For both Wisconsin and Illinois, you can choose to file different filing status for federal and state.  However, because Wisconsin is Community property, you must factor this when deciding which return to file.

If you file a joint federal return and one spouse is a full-year Illinois resident while the other is a part-year resident or a nonresident (e.g., military personnel), you may choose to file “married filing separately.” Do not recompute any items on your federal return. Instead, you must divide each item of income and deduction shown on your joint federal return between your separate Illinois returns following the Allocation Worksheet in the Form IL-1040 Instructions.

@mere73

[mere73]

I lived in IL all of 2019 and my husband lived in Wis all of 2019. All of our community property is in IL. Am I understanding correctly that we can file jointly for federal and separately for state? 

[MaryK4]

No, you can file joint for federal and separate for the states.  The community income would be the wages earned in Wisconsin.

@mere73

[mere73]

Thank you