I am planning to file 'married jointly' for my tax returns. I am a resident of CT and work full time in CT. My wife is a resident of CT and worked part-time in CT and also worked full time for around two months in MA. My wife is a student so I want education expenses tax benefits.
Per my understanding;
I have to file federal and CT state tax. (Married jointly)
My wife has to file federal, CT state tax and MA state tax. (For CT married jointly, For MA married separate, just for my wife)
For my scenario, which Turbo tax product should I buy?
Since I did not work in MA, should I file married jointly OR married separately for MA state tax?
The Deluxe version for either the Online or Downloaded version will work just fine ... and for the MA return you can file a joint NON resident return and only her MA income will get taxed ... that is the easiest way to do it. AND you MUST completed the MA return FIRST so you get a proper credit for the MA taxes on the CT return.
The online will cost you $60 fed + ($45 x 2 for each state) = $150 plus state tax if any
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/
The Downloaded version is a better bargain $70 (fed + 1 state) + $40 (second state) = $110 + state tax if any ... if you want to efile the states there is any extra $20 fee but it is not required as you can mail them in for free. If you shop around you can find bargains at reputable resellers like Office Depot, Staples, Walmart, Target, ect ... stay far away from a too good to be true prices from a no name seller as they are scammers.