California 540NR allows different filing status from federal given spouse was NR for the whole year. Why doesn't the software support this?

[glengieser]

California 540NR allows different filing status from federal given spouse was NR for the whole year. 

From the 

Exception: If you file a joint tax return for federal purposes, you may file separately for California if either spouse was: " An active member of the United States armed forces or any auxiliary military branch during 2018. " A nonresident for the entire year and had no income from California sources during 2018.

Why doesn't the software support this exception?

[TerryA]

It does support it calculations-wise but apparently not in Step-by-Step. TT/Calif didn't ask me if i wanted to change a 540NR return from MFJ like federal to MFS.

But your TT has Forms Mode (Ctrl-2 or menu View/Forms) so open the Calif Info Worksheet, scroll down to Part III - Filing Status and check the MFS box. Check the Yes box there for ".... is spouse a CA Nonresident? for good measure.

At the bottom of that section, after checking the MFS box, you'll notice the last box gets checked for "...filing status is different from your federal filing status"