My spouse and I live in MA and DC resp. We filed our federal taxes as "MFJ" and are doing our state taxes as "MFS". For DC returns, do I need to attach the federal MFJ?

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
April 1, 2025
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My spouse and I live in different states (MA and DC respectively), so we filed our federal taxes as "Married File Jointly" and state taxes as "Married Filing Separately". For DC, turbotax has intsructed to attach my federal returns. In that case, is it okay to attache the MFJ returns?

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MonikaK1

Yes, you can attach the Federal MFJ return to the state/DC return.

Please see this help article for instructions on filing joint Federal and separate State returns.

Although state returns can be e-filed with your federal return (or after your federal return has already been accepted), it's no longer possible to e-file state returns before the federal.

This adds an extra layer of security to all e-filed state returns. This also means you won't be able to e-file your state if your federal return was, or will be, paper-filed.

If you e-filed your federal return as Married Filing Jointly, but want to file your state returns as Married Filing Separately, only one state return can be e-filed. The other will have to be paper-filed.

Federal returns are not affected by this security measure and can be e-filed with or without a state.

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MG_2023Author

Thanks @MonikaK1

To clarify: We have already e-filed our federal taxes as "MFJ", but since we both live in separate states, are planning to paper file our state taxes as "MFS". Last year, turbotax did not instruct me to attach my federal returns, but has specifically asked me to do so this year. So my question is - is it mandatory to attach the federal return this year? And if yes, would there be any issues if I attach my federal returns filed as MFJ?

AmyC

Employee

Yes, you must file a federal with your paper file and it needs to be MFS. All the states and federal share information. States will eventually get the copy you actually filed with the IRS. They need your mock MFS to see how things were divided.

State rules also come into play. MA requires you file MFS since you lived apart while DC says to use the same filing status as the federal unless changing status is better for you financially. MFS is fine for both.

[Edited 4/8/25 | 8:43 am PST ] @MG_2023 Sorry about the wrong state!

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