Tax Year Prior to 2020: Filed single in 2018, married in 2019. Struggling to calculate the State/Local tax refund from 2018

[rkb123]

Hello all,

I and my wife (then girlfriend) filed individually in 2018 and got married in 2019, so intend to file jointly.

I received a MD state tax refund of 3065 in 2018

My wife owed MD a tax payment of 1297 in 2018

Neither of us received a 1099-G in 2019.

How do I now calculate the State & Local Tax Refund as income in our joint 2019 filing?

Thanks!

Rob

[WKins2]

It depends on whether or not you itemized return in 2018. If you itemized your return in 2018 you would report the refund you received (3,065) on the return, and on Schedule A (assuming the tax was paid) you would report that amount. 

[rkb123]

Ah yes, I did leave that part out.

I itemized in 2018.  My (now) wife, did not itemize in 2018.

[JulieS]

You should report your state tax refund and answer the questions based on your 2018 Schedule A. Since your wife did not itemize, you can just leave her state refund out of your tax return.