California requires the same filing status used on the federal return. Exceptions: A taxpayer who is an RDP, and who files single for federal tax purposes must file married/RDP filing jointly or married/RDP filing separately for California purposes.

Does California follow the federal extension?

California grants taxpayers an automatic six-month filing extension. You do not need to file any forms to claim this extension, unlike the federal filing extension, which taxpayers apply for using Form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return).

How do you split income for married filing separately in California?

Generally, each spouse must report half of all combined community income and deductions in addition to his or her separate income and deductions. For example, each spouse reports half of their own W-2 wages and half of their spouse’s W-2 wages on their MFS tax return.

Do you have to file a federal tax return in California?

If you did not file a federal return because you did not have a federal filing requirement, you may use any filing status on your California return that you were entitled to use on your federal return had you been required to file a federal return.

Do you have to file federal and state returns at the same time?

If you need to file using one filing status on the federal form and a different filing status on the state form, you will have to prepare multiple returns in TaxAct. The exception is when a state allows for the filing status of married filing separate on a combined return.

Which is filing status should I use?

Which Filing Status Should I Use? Which Filing Status Should I Use? Find out which filing status is best for you.

Do you have to file state tax return if you do not file federal tax return?

Generally, you should file your state tax return using the same status as your federal return. If you did not file a federal return because you did not have a federal filing requirement, you may use any filing status on your California return that you were entitled to use on your federal return had you been required to file a federal return.