How do I file married jointly when one spouse lived/worked in 2 states?

lagh
lagh Member Posts: 2 Newcomer
edited April 11 in Situation & Life Changes

My spouse and I just got married last year, so I lived and worked in MS for January & February, and then moved to GA after we got married where I then lived and worked in GA for the rest of the year. My spouse lived and worked in GA the entire year. How do I file married jointly with this situation? When I put in my W2 from MS it reduced our GA state refund, but it shouldn't affect our GA state income. When it asks about residency, I'm assuming it asks for both of us because it doesn't specify, but only one of us had partial residency in two states. I've read online that I have to have 2 accounts to file the 2 state returns, but it appears to have worked. It just doesn't seem like it's correct.

Answers

  • Te_ariki
    Te_ariki Member Posts: 13 Level 3
    edited April 10

    I think this thread goes into that.

    https://community.freetaxusa.com/discussion/1938/married-filing-jointly-but-wife-lived-and-worked-in-a-different-state-for-part-of-the-year

    From the bottom of that thread it say this (which I think is what you may have to do),

    "Please note that our software does not allow you to file MFJ on the federal return and MFS on the state return within the same account. To file the federal return MFJ and state returns MFS you will need to create a 2nd account to prepare your state return and a 3rd account to prepare your wife's state returns."

    I'd read more from the linked thread to go into the details though.

  • lagh
    lagh Member Posts: 2 Newcomer

    How do I only file a state return with a different account? It won't let me type in income just in state, it has to be in federal too, apparently.

  • Te_ariki
    Te_ariki Member Posts: 13 Level 3

    I'm going to copy over the text from this faq so you don't have to click into it.

    FreeTaxUSA® Answers - Can I file just a state return? - FAQ 1725

    Can I file just a state return?

    Yes. To only file a state return you will need to mail your state return. You can only e-file a state return on FreeTaxUSA if you also e-file your federal return on FreeTaxUSA.

    If you filed your federal return with us:
    You can file any number of state returns with your federal return or after it has been accepted. Sign in to your account and go through the state screens until the state return you want to file is complete. Then go to the Filing Method screen at the end of the application, and click Save and Continue. If your federal return was e-filed using our software and has been accepted by the IRS, you can e-file more state tax returns without e-filing your federal return again.

    If you filed your federal return somewhere else:
    You can still file a state tax return using FreeTaxUSA. Fill in your federal tax information as shown on the federal tax return you already mailed or e-filed. Make sure the federal tax return on your account matches the federal tax return you've already submitted. Complete and purchase the state return(s) you want to file.

    On the Filing Method screen, choose to mail your federal return. Your state return will need to be printed and mailed. The software will prompt you to mail your federal return, do not mail your federal return to the IRS again.

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