How to file state taxes when spouse works in different state but federal filing status is MFJ?

BleedMznBlue

My wife and I got married in 2025 and this is our first year filing MFJ federally. She lived and worked in Kansas City the whole year and thus her W2 shows Kansas and Missouri income. She has no IL income.

I lived and worked in Illinois the entire year and my W2 shows only IL. I did not generate any income in KS or MO.

It seems that we are able to file federal MFJ without an issue, but what is the best way to file state taxes? I believe IL and MO allow different federal and state filing status, but it appears KS requires federal and state to match.

MatthewD

Hi BleedMznBlue,

Each state has different laws regarding your filing status, but they also have exceptions when it comes to filing in situations like yours.

Kansas, Missouri and Illinois all require that you file using the same status on your federal return. To file a Married Joint federal return, you must also file Married Joint returns on your three state returns. So that you don't report joint income on state returns where you did not work, you choose the residency status of Non-resident on all three returns. Then allocate what was earned in each state.

It gets a little complicated for your wife's return since she may need to claim a credit on her "resident" state return for taxes paid to her "nonresident" state.

The other option is to file as Married Filing Separately.

You may want to add Pro Support to your account and contact a tax pro through support.