Worked in MA for all year 2018, and then my wife moved to MA from Texas in August (No income in MA). Filed federal tax jointly, and how to file MA tax.

[KD2]

I have been working in MA for all year 2018. My wife finished her school in Texas and then moved to MA in August. She did not have any income in year 2018 in MA, but has income in Texas. I have filed MFJ for federal tax and would like to know how to prepare for MA tax. She has MA 1099-HC health care coverage from September to Dec. Before that, she has health insurance in Texas from school. If we file MA tax jointly, we will have to pay penalty. 

[DanielV01 · Accepted solution]

You will file your Massachusetts return as Married Filing Separately.  Massachusetts requires this in your case, because you and your wife's tax years are different.  You are a full-year Mass resident, and she's a part-year resident.  Since she has no MA income, she will not need to file a MA return herself at all.