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Yes, you can file Married Filing jointly even though you both have income in different states. You will file two state returns, one as a PA part-year resident and the Alabama return as a full year resident. Be sure when your wife enters her information in the MY INFO portion part of your return, that she money in other states and then indicate the period of time she spent living in PA. This information entered will correctly allocate her income between the two states.
You would file part-year income tax returns and allocate how much you earned in each state. TurboTax will guide you.
If you were a resident of two different states during the tax year (for example, if you moved from one state to another), you'll normally file part-year returns in both states, assuming each state collects income tax and you had income in each state.
TurboTax handles part-year returns, but you need to make sure you've set up your personal information correctly for us to do so. We'll ask about where you lived in 2019 when you set up your personal information.
If you need to add this information after you've begun your return:
After you finish your federal return, you'll automatically move to the State section, where you'll see your part-year states listed. We suggest you prepare the return for your former state first, followed by the return for the state you currently live in.
Important: If you also see a nonresident state return in the State section, complete that return before you work on your part-year return(s) to ensure your tax credits are calculated correctly.
Related Information:
Source: TurboTax
So I chose married filing jointly for my federal tax returns for me and my wife. Should I choose married filing jointly for state as well? Also, are both me and my wife considered partial residents even though I worked a full year in Alabama and she worked in PA and AL?
Yes, you can file Married Filing jointly even though you both have income in different states. You will file two state returns, one as a PA part-year resident and the Alabama return as a full year resident. Be sure when your wife enters her information in the MY INFO portion part of your return, that she money in other states and then indicate the period of time she spent living in PA. This information entered will correctly allocate her income between the two states.
Thank you Helen and Dave, I really appreciate it. The penalty in Alabama is pretty steep for filing jointly as a full time resident and part time. Do you all think it would be better to file married separately? Or is this penalty unavoidable?
The state of Alabama does allow you to file as married filing separately for the tax year even if you file as married filing jointly on your federal return. Please view the Alabama link for more information.
Please view the TurboTax FAQ for instructions on filing married filing separate state returns.
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