MFJ federal MFS in Virginia

[DavidD66]

Can you clarify - do you have a question?

[sunbeam68]

I have completed my MFJ federal . Downloaded Virginia turbo tax. Checked the Va.  information to file MFS .  I will be claiming the standard deduction of  Federal and state as required. TurboTax does only one tax return for the primary filer.  Doesn’t divide income nor deductions.

how do I file separate state. We both live in Va and have incomes.  I wish to divide interest and dividends to reduce state tax. We are  both over 70.

[VolvoGirl]

Sounds like you are using the Desktop installed program?  Good.  You need to do 3 separate federal returns.  One for Joint and 1 for each spouse to do the  mock separate federal return to do the separate state returns.  

See this article on how to file a joint federal return and file separate state returns…..
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-prepare-a-joint-federal-return-and-se...