Question

How do I enter my spouse's W-2 when filing Married Filing Separate in a Community Property state like California?

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
February 7, 2024
2 replies
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I have seen threads on Turbotax from 2021 saying NOT to change the information in a W-2 even though both TaxAct and TaxSlayer say to do exactly that. On my return, how exactly should I enter the W-2s for my spouse?

DawnC

It works similarly in TurboTax. Filing taxes in community property states (California) as Married Filing Separately (MFS) can be complex.

You may not be able to e-file, in which case TurboTax will guide you through the steps to print and mail your return.

Begin by completing a MFS federal tax return for you and your spouse, as you'll need the amounts for different income categories, tax amounts, and all tax payments for each of you. If one of you plans to itemize deductions, the other person must itemize as well. Otherwise, you'll both have to use the Standard Deduction.

Entering income adjustments for a community property state

Complete the community property worksheet

Finish your tax returns

From Married Filing Separately in California

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P

PutThatCookieDownAuthor

I am still unsure from this on how the W-2s for a spouse are entered. Can someone give me a detailed explanation of what to do?

P

PutThatCookieDownAuthor

@mglauner Here is a detailed answer that I was looking for:

https://www.taxact.com/support/21322

/2023/community-property-states-mfs-how-to-file-with-taxact?hideLayout=False

I had to cut the link in half because the forum keeps removing it. Just combine both lines above into one URL to navigate.

Can TurboTax please post something detailed like this?

D

DianeW777

TurboTax does have an article detailing filing separate in a Community Property State. Also the IRS has a publication specifically for this purpose. This will help you with your own situation.

MFS in Community Property States
About Publication 555, Community Property (Start with the table on page 4)
Allocation Of Community Property and States

@PutThatCookieDown

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PutThatCookieDownAuthor

@DianeW777 In all those links you sent, TurboTax did not once explain in detail how to physically input the W2s like other tax software does. TurboTax just gives the general rules for income allocation. Please see the link I included from TaxAct above to see the difference in a detailed and helpful answer.