How do I answer "Confirm Your 2019 Federal Return Info" if I filed single last year and filing jointly this year?

[smevans]

After entering my wife and I's 2019 state return information, Turbo Tax is asking to confirm my 2019 federal return info. How do I answer "Confirm Your 2019 Federal Return Info" if I filed single last year and filing jointly this year? Do I add my wife and my 2019 federal return info? 

Unfortunately Turbo Tax does a poor job explaining what to do when someone if filing jointly for the first time. 

[KrisD15]

In what section is this asked? 

If for your 2019 AGI, use the 2019 AGI of the taxpayer listed first. 

If this is for something else, like a credit, please clarify. 

[smevans]

It was asked under the Income section, "Refunds Received for State/Local Tax Returns". Turbotax asks if we received a state return last year and how much. In the notes it recommends adding my spouses return amount with mine for a total state return received. 

When you click next, it asks to confirm your last years federal information to determine how much of last years state return will be taxable. But the federal info it shows from last year is just my own info as we were not married yet. Do I need to correct that with both my wife and I's info? 

[smevans]

Specifically: "Take a look at what's below and tell us if it's correct. We just need to check if anything has changed since you filed your 2019return. This will help us figure out how much of your state tax refund or local tax refund is taxable for 2020."

But the screen only shows my information, not my wife's. Even though it is reviewing state return amount of both of us combined.

[JotikaT2]

You will need to include the amounts from both returns to ensure the correct amount is reported as taxable, if any.

Your state refund will either be fully taxable or even partially taxable depending upon how much the deduction affected your refund or tax liability.  Typically, you will receive a Form 1099-G from the state letting you know the amount of your refund from your prior year tax return.

To determine how much is taxable, all 3 of the following must be true: 

• You itemized deductions last year 
• You claimed state and local income taxes 
• Claiming the deduction helped you increase your federal refund or lower your tax bill 

If all of the above applies for you, review your input to ensure the refund is entered in the correct place in the program: 

1. Select Federal 
2. Select Income & Expenses 
3. Select Other Common Income 
4. Select Refunds Received for State/Local Tax Returns 
5. Proceed to enter the information and answer all of the questions 
6. Enter through until you see the following screen.  Select Done. 

Your next screens will ask you for information regarding your 2019 return.  Based upon your entries, the program will determine if any of your state refunds are taxable. 

Information to find last year's state refund