Can my wife and I file MFS federal return and MFJ state return?

[ldavissc50]

I am in public service so in order to keep my loan forgiveness payment reasonable my wife and I have to file our federal taxes separately, it is based on gross income on federal return. We want to know if we can file our state taxes jointly to see if we would get a larger refund.

[Opus 17]

Almost never.  Do you live together or in different states?  Which state do you live in?

[ldavissc50]

we live together in South Carolina - just trying to see if I can and if it is worth it

[Opus 17 · Accepted solution]

The SC instruction say to use the same filing status you used on your federal return.  So unless there is an exception found somewhere else not in the instruction book, it appears the answer is no.