Multiple states

[ajaxd1992]

My wife and I live in MA but I work in RI. She is a student with no income. We filed our federal and MA taxes jointly. My questions:

1. Can we file RI taxes jointly as well? Is that allowed since she has no income from RI sources? Or would I have to file them as filing separately?
2. My W-2 withholdings were only from RI. So when I did my MA taxes, I used the taxes I owe to RI as credits. I still owe a big chunk to MA which I'm not sure is right. I earned wages only from RI and that was reported on my MA return, is that correct? I'm a bit lost. 

Thanks a lot for your help!!

[AmyC · Accepted solution]

1. Yes. The RI instructions for nonresident expect you to file a joint return, same as federal.

2. You need to create the RI return and create the actual taxable income and liability before you complete your MA return for the proper credit.

MA will tax the income but give you a credit for the lower of MA or RI tax on the double taxed income. Make sure you see the credit on line 30 of your MA return.

For example: If the RI tax is $7,000 and the MA tax is $9,000 on the same income, MA would give you $7k credit from RI and you would still owe. The tax rates between MA and RI are close. 

To print or view  your forms:

• In desktop, switch to Forms Mode. 
• For online:
  1. On the left side, select  Tax Tools
  2. Select Print center
  3. Select Print, save or preview this year's return
  4. If you have not paid, select pay now.