Same Sex Married Couple-Georgia

[jshtax]

Anyone know how I do a different filing status on federal and state return?

[kcjenkins]

From the GA E-File FAQs:

Q: Does Georgia accept state only returns?
A: Yes, Georgia accepts state only returns. Please refer to your software provider for instructions on how to transmit a state only return.

Q: Do I need to mail a copy of my Federal forms when I file my Georgia return electronically?
A: No, your Federal information will also be transmitted electronically with your Georgia return.

[kcjenkins]

https://etax.dor.ga.gov/pressrel/DOMA.pdf

6) How to File:

If the person is in a same-sex marriage and a married filing jointly or married filing
separately status was used on a Federal return, the person must:

 For Georgia purposes, recompute Federal Adjusted Gross Income (including
adjustments such as imputed income on employer-provided health insurance,
etc. that would be required federally if the person was single) and itemized
deductions (if applicable) as if the person had filed a single Federal return.
 On Georgia Form 500 use single filing status or, if qualified, head of household
filing status.
 Use the single/head of household exemption amount and the single/head of
household standard deduction (if applicable).
 Use single tax rates, or if qualified, head of household tax rates.

This applies to all taxable years. Although amended returns may be filed for Federal tax
purposes to change the filing status to married filing jointly or married filing separately,
no amended returns may be filed for Georgia to change the filing status.

[jshtax]

I was talking about within ATX when the filing status is different from federal.

[kcjenkins]

oh, I misunderstood. only way I know is to do three returns, one MFJ for the feds, then duplicate that twice, renaming these two for the two clients, delete one client's info and change status to Single , and then on those two you file just the state only.

[Jack from Ohio]

KC is exactly correct. It is the only method.

Increased fees apply.

[joanmcq]

Yup, I was doing this in the reverse here in CA for years. Now I've only got to do it for my couples that are domestic partners, but not married.

Do two proforma single federal returns to create the single GA returns. Do one federal joint return. Or if they want to filer MFS, you may be able to just change the GA filing status to single, if GA includes a checkbox for 'state filing I'd different than federal'.