CA Domestic Partnership Filing
My partner and I are registered domestic partners in CA. We individually filed federal tax returns. We then filed a joint CA tax return through FreeTaxUSA, as we read that is what we were supposed to do. However, FreeTaxUSA does not allow the option to unselect sending the federal return. We already sent our separate federal returns so we don’t want it automatically sent by FreeTaxUSA. How do we disable the site from submitting the federal and only submit the CA return? Thanks!
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Never mind. Later on in the filing process you are informed that since you are filing jointly as domestic partners your federal return will not be filed. You are also told that you cannot file the CA state return electronically and have to mail it.
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Yeah I think you're right- look at this page for more information on how to file just a state return -
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Hi! My partner and I registered as RDP in California ~ Nov 2025. Were you able to account for a specific start date of the RDP when filing as "Married Jointly" for the state tax? We're trying to avoid being double taxed for "community property" and we're confused if we need to attach any supplemental forms.
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Hi boboisjoe,
You won't be double taxed on your income and no additional supplemental form are required. That is only for Married Filing Separately, which you will not be doing. Let me explain. In your situation you will need three accounts to file your return with FreeTaxUSA.
1st account: Just for the federal return. For yourself using the Single status or Head of household if you have a qualifying dependent. This return can be e-filed. No CA return.
2nd account: Just for the federal return. For your partner using the Single status or Head of household if your partner has a qualifying dependent. This return can be e-filed. No CA return
3rd account: Use "pro forma" federal returns to enter all your joint information and to file a RDP CA state tax return. Use the Married filing jointly on the federal return. This is the "pro forma" federal return, which will NOT be file, but it is necessary to get the RDP CA return. This return must be mailed. Only mail the CA return.1 -
Hi MatthewD,
Thank you for the clarification and details. This is very helpful!
The only question I have left is a UI/UX question on how to pay for the state tax and not e-file the Federal "pro forma".
I've entered all our joint information in the Federal "pro forma" and CA return. I'm now at the "Final Steps" and am prompted to pay the CA state return fee.
I see 3 steps at this stage: 1). Order Products, 2). Review Tax Return, and 3). Submit Tax Return.My question is, after I pay will I be able to remove the Federal "pro forma" return?
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Hi boboisjoe,
You don't need to worry about the pro forma federal return being submitted. Here's how the process works after you pay:
After completing payment, you'll continue to a "Filing Method" screen where you'll select the option to mail your returns. Continue through the screens until you reach the final screen under the "Final Steps" tab, where you'll be given instructions to mail your CA state return.
At that point, the software will also prompt you to print and mail the federal return, but since you've already filed your individual federal returns separately, you can simply ignore that prompt. Just mail the CA state return only.
So to directly answer your question -- no, you won't be able to "remove" the pro forma federal return from the account, but you also won't be filing it. It's just there to support the CA return calculations. You'll only need to print and mail the CA state return.1 -
Thank you Austyn and everyone else for the clarifications. I followed your instructions and was able to mail our state tax form. Appreciate all of the help!
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