My husband and I live in separate states he is in Nevada I am in California. Are we able to file a joint federal return and if so, what state of residence do I put for him? when I originally did the taxes it showed us owing California but as soon as I changed his state of residence to Nevada, there is a zero California balance due. We do have 3 dependents So am I able to file a joint return for federal showing his state of residence as Nevada and mine California?

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Jahnic32

Level 2

Question

Filling status / state

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
May 22, 2024
1 reply
4 views

My husband and I live in separate states he is in Nevada I am in California. Are we able to file a joint federal return and if so, what state of residence do I put for him? when I originally did the taxes it showed us owing California but as soon as I changed his state of residence to Nevada, there is a zero California balance due. We do have 3 dependents So am I able to file a joint return for federal showing his state of residence as Nevada and mine California?

TomD8

Alumni - Champ

Yes, married couples who reside in different states may still file a joint federal tax return.

**Answers are correct to the best of my ability but do not constitute tax or legal advice.

Jahnic32Author

Level 2

Can I file my federal joint return with Nevada for my husband’s state of residence and California for mine?

JotikaT2

Employee Tax Expert

You can file your federal return as married filing joint. When you complete your personal information in TurboTax, be aware that the IRS will send any potential correspondences to the address of the primary filer on your tax return. If your husband is listed first, his address will show up on the 1040. If you are listed first, your address will show up on the 1040.

As far as California, since you have income from California sources and are domiciled within California, you will still need to file your state return using the same married filing jointly status, even if your spouse does not have any California source income. Please see the excerpt below from the form instructions for 2023. The only way to file a married filing separately within in California in your situation is if you do not have any CA source income and only he had earned income from Nevada.