I am doing my taxes which includes s free state tax return. How do I do a second tax return for my wife and get a free state return

[DoninGA]

Why are you not filing as Married Filing Jointly?  That is the best way to file a tax return when you are legally married.  You get the highest Standard Deduction plus improved tax rates versus other types of filing.

If you are filing jointly then all of your income and deductions for both spouses is only entered on One tax return, NOT two.

[xmasbaby0]

If you were legally married at the end of 2025 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately when you prepare your 2025 return.

Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $31,500 (+ $1600 for each spouse 65 or older)  for 2025. You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit. 

If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return.

 Some of the disadvantages of filing separately include: 

You cannot get earned income credit, 

You cannot get education credits or deductions for student loan interest. 

You cannot get the childcare credit

You have a lower amount of income on which to base the refundable additional child tax credit

85% of your Social Security benefits will be taxable even with no other income 

The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be limited.

Capital loss deduction is less than if you file jointly

You cannot get the $6000 senior deduction

You cannot get the deductions for overtime or tips

 If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI) and your returns become very complicated.

 If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice since with online, you get one return per fee.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/marriage/should-you-and-your-spouse-file-taxes-jointly-or-separ...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/income/getting-married-mean-taxes/L2Rgma...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/taxation/married-filing-separately-commu...

[VolvoGirl]

@jimac015   Are you using the Desktop installed program?  Sounds like it.  Desktop  has a free state PROGRAM download, not a free state efile.   In the Desktop program you can use the free state program to prepare unlimited state returns in that state.  But each state efile is $25 (except NY)  or you can print and mail state for free.

To start another return in the Desktop program go up to File-New Tax Return.  

Or are you using the Online browser version?  How are you getting a free state tax return?  Are you using the Online Free Edition?

[VolvoGirl]

Oh, did you try to install the Desktop program but couldn’t and took the offer to switch to the Online version for 1 free federal + state?

If you switch to the Online version for 2025…..You will notice several differences and may not like the online version.  It has less features and no Forms Mode.

The Online web version is only good for one account and one return.  Although you can use the same email address for 5 separate accounts.  Your return is only saved online so be sure to save both the .tax2025 data file and the pdf file to your computer when you are done.

You can log in and access your return from any computer. You only can see the forms after you pay and download the pdf. And you might need to upgrade to a higher version to enter different kinds of income.

If you can't  install Turbo Tax Desktop program you can transfer from your 2024 return from your computer into the online version. You need to have the file ending in.tax2024 on your computer.