My wife and I worked in different states, we are filing federal tax as "Married filing joint", should we file as "Single" on individual state taxes or what should we use?

[Mainer7111]

What status should we use on individual state tax returns? Should we file as Single in each state or Should we file as married filing separately? If we use Married filing separately should we both file tax returns in both the states? States that we worked are Maine and New Jersey. My concern is if we use Married Filing Separately will both these states expect a return from both of us?

[NiaW]

If you and your spouse are filing a joint federal return but you work in or are residents of different states, you may need to file separate state returns.

Sometimes this is required by state tax law; other times it is to your best interest to not include your non-resident spouses income on your state return. Otherwise both states may try to tax the same income.

You can use TurboTax Online to file separate state returns, but we recommend you use the CD/Download software version to do this because you'll only need to pay for one TurboTax product (you can file up to 5 returns).

Tip: If you already started your return in TurboTax Online, we recommend that you transfer your tax file to the CD/Download version. You will save time by entering less information.

Here's a brief overview of the procedure, see the sections below for detailed steps:

1. You'll prepare one married filing jointly (MFJ) return to file with the IRS.
2. Prepare a "mock" married filing separate (MFS) tax return for each taxpayer. This is for your records only, and will be used to generate separate state returns for each person. the mock federal returns are Not filed.
3. Then for the first taxpayer, label and use the first "mock" married filing separate (MFS) federal return to prepare their state MFS return, using only their income and their half of the deductions from the MFJ federal return..
   This ensures that TurboTax only transfers the first taxpayer's income to their married filing separate state return. File this MFS state return, but not the mock federal return that it pulls the information from.
4. For the second taxpayer (spouse), label and use the second "mock" MFS federal return to prepare their state MFS return, again using only their income and their half of the deductions from the MFJ federal return.
   Again, file the second MFS state return, but not the second mock federal return that it pulls the information from.

Be sure to name each TurboTax federal return so you know the MFJ federal return to file, and which mock MFS federal and state return is for which person.
Yes, this can be tedious, but this is often the best way to ensure you accurately minimize state tax situations with two different state incomes.

Note:  State returns prepared using the "Mock" federal returns will require you to print and file your state return by mail, please click here to learn more. 

For detailed instructions, click the link below for the taxpayer(s) that need to file a state return.

Prepare a state return for the primary taxpayer

The primary taxpayer is the first taxpayer listed on the return. In the TurboTax CD/Download version:

1. Open your completed Married Filing Jointly (MFJ) return (the real return you'll file with the IRS), and
2. Then save it with a new file name, for the primary taxpayer.
3. This will be your "mock" federal MFS return used for the real MFS state return This mock federal return is Not Filed..

Very Important! This renaming step ensures that your original joint return (the one you file with the IRS) remains intact for you records. The "mock" federal tax return you create next will be used to remove the secondary taxpayer's data so it doesn't transfer into the primary taxpayer's state return. Otherwise, you'll end up paying tax twice on that income. Continue in TurboTax:

1. On Personal Info, click You & Your Family, then scroll down to the Your Filing Status topic and click Edit.
2. On the Review Your Filing Status screen, check Change my filing status and select Married filing separately, then click Continue.
3. Revisit the income topics in your federal return to remove all income items that belong to the secondary taxpayer (e.g., Forms W-2 or 1099).
   Also remove all deductions that apply to the secondary taxpayer (e.g., medical or educational deductions). You'll also need to determine how to split any joint deductions, be careful not to miss any, or use any deductions twice!
4. Now run the federal error check (Review > Analysis). When finished, you have the primary taxpayer's mock return.
5. Click State Taxes (this pulls the state data from this mock return) and complete the primary taxpayer's state return.
6. When finished, print the state return for your records and paper-file the primary taxpayer's state MFS return.

Important: Do not file the "mock" MFS federal return you created here. It was only used to separate the primary taxpayer's income and deductions for state tax purposes. However, do not delete the return in case you need to view or amend the primary taxpayer's associated state MFS return.

Prepare a state return for the secondary taxpayer (spouse)