Is my wife filing for the first time in Arizona?

[jsuaso]

Last year I was on active duty and living in Texas with my wife. I've always maintained residency in AZ. Last year, my wife (Texas residency) and I filed our taxes jointly. Mid-2016 we both moved to AZ and are now both residents. We're filing jointly this year as well. Do I need to fill out a form stating that she's filing for the first time in AZ? Or did filing with me last year while I maintained AZ residency count?

[DanielV01 · Accepted solution]

No, it does not seem that Arizona requires this kind of form.   Click here for FAQs on Arizona filing requirements.  You are correct that she will file as an Arizona resident.  Since she moved to Arizona and has now established residency there, she will continue to be an Arizona resident like yourself wherever you may be stationed in the future because of Military Spouse Rules (See attached FAQ):  https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3302300

If you are given PCS orders to another state and she begins to work in that state, she will need to tell her employer that she is an Arizona resident because of the MSRRA.  She will only be taxed in Arizona and you will not need to file additional state tax returns.

[jsuaso]

Thank you!

[DanielV01]

Your welcome!  We're here to help.