State (CA) About your 2018 Filing

[pdesouza]

The question asks "Did you file a 2018 California tax return"

Options are:

1. Yes, I filed a California tax return last year

2. No, I didn't file in California last year

Not sure how to answer this (can you please update/modify this question so it has better clarity) because I am not sure if it is referring to me alone or if I include my spouse.

I did NOT file a 2018 tax return (lived and work outside of California), but my spouse (we married in 2019) did file a California tax return.

Should I click "Yes" or "No"? I think the user interface and questions should be updated/clarified for users who are filing jointly. Thank you! 

[ReginaM]

Are you and your wife filing a Federal Joint Return?  Is your wife filing Married Filing Separate for the State of California?  By answering yes to this question (Did I file a California Return), it will trigger TurboTax to ask you the right questions to make sure your return is filed accurately.  As you complete the on-line questionnaire for your state return, you will get to this screen which will clear up the who lived in what state issues in TurboTax:

TurboTax will continue walking you through the State of California return asking additional questions to make sure you file right.

[pdesouza]

Hi Regina,

Thank you for the quick and thoughtful reply - I really appreciate your help.

I suppose I wasn't sure how to answer because *I* did not file a 2018 California tax return (was single at that time), but my spouse DID file a 2018 tax return (was also single at the time).

We were wed in 2019, and will now file a federal joint return.

So I take it by your advice the correct answer is "Yes, I filed a California tax return" (better stated as "Did you or your spouse file a 2018 California Tax return?").

It then asks me the clarifying questions. 

Thank you so much for making the "right" answer to this question more clear - I appreciate it.

I suppose on the section where "Enter the last name used on your and/or your spouse's 2018 California return. Leave blank  if unchanged" - I will leave "Your 2018 last name" blank since I didn't file a 2018 California return?

Thank you!