How to File State Taxes for Married Couple Living in Two States?
Couples who are married and living apart may be at any stage of life, with a variety of financial circumstances in play. But if couples live across state lines, they should take special care to make sure that they have a handle on their tax situation.
Can you file jointly if you live in two different states?
I am married but my husband and I are living in two separate homes in two different states. Can we still file jointly? There is only one address on your federal tax return. That address is simply a mailing address, and doesn’t mean much beyond that. The IRS doesn’t care what state you live in, or what state your spouse lives in.
When do you need to file separate state tax returns?
If you and your spouse are filing a joint federal return but you work in or are residents of different states, you may need to file separate state returns. Sometimes this is required by state tax law; other times it is to your best interest to not include your non-resident spouses income on your state return.
Can a spouse file as a nonresident in another state?
If either spouse must file as a nonresident, either because of community property rules or to report income sourced to the nonresident state, reciprocity agreements between the states in question may have an impact. Some states have agreements that allow workers to pay taxes only where they live, not where they work.
