how to file nonresident CA joint when one is part year and another is full year resident

[rrk-21]

I moved from California to Virginia Septem 1, 2021.  My spouse stayed in California all year.  I am trying to file MFJ for both federal and CA.  I have seen some previous postings for our situation.  It looks like I can do this by filing a nonresident joint for CA, then file part year for VA with mock MFS federal return.  I am a little confused on how to enter residency status for both of us.

1)  "did you become nonresident during 2021"---  I checked yes for me, no for my spouse

2)  "were you a California nonresident during all of 2021"--- I checked  no for both of us

Then I put in VA as my domicile, CA as my spouse's domicile.  I put in 243 days for me, 365 days for my spouse

3)  next screen, "did you leave California before 2021" I checked no for both

After I finished, I went back to residency status.   Below is what changed.  

1)  "did you become nonresident during all of 2021"---  yes for me, YES for my spouse (this was changed)

2)  "were you a California nonresident during all of 2021"--- YES for both of us (this was changed)

It seems that we are both considered nonresident during all of 2021.  Is this correct?  

I had both VA and CA downloaded.  So turbo calculated VA tax as I entered information.  Since I will use the mock federal to file VA, and not file VA forms generated while I am doing federal and CA joint.  Should I just put 0 income for double-taxed income taxable, so it won't generate any other state tax credit?

[MaryK4 · Accepted solution]

After you went through the California interview regarding residency, when you went back and saw the YES answers, it was a default selection- as you go through TurboTax makes the changes based on your entries, but the interface you see will always go back to the default. (If you were to continue without making changes, TurboTax would update to the selection on screen.)

Because you will use Part-Year status separate from your spouse for Virginia, you are correct that your Virginia income will be taxed by Virginia but not taxed by California so the credit for taxes paid to another state will not apply.

[rrk-21]

Thank you very much.  Can I just enter the information on the form itself manually?  I should check I am part year resident and my spouse is a resident?

[rrk-21]

I started a new turbo file, the residence status showed correctly.  Thanks!