Joint filers with different residency status
If you and your spouse file a joint federal income tax, you will generally have to file your Connecticut return as "married filing jointly". However, review the following for guidance if you and your spouse were residents of different states during the year:
- If you are a resident or nonresident of Connecticut and your spouse is a part-year resident of Connecticut, married filing separately only is your Connecticut income tax filing status.
- If you are both part-year residents of Connecticut but do not have the same period of residency (i.e. you moved into or out of Connecticut at different times), filing separately is your Connecticut income tax filing status.
- If you are both part-year residents of Connecticut and have the same period of residency (moved into or moved out of Connecticut at the same time), you may choose married filing jointly or married filing separately as your Connecticut income tax filing status.
- If you are a resident of Connecticut and your spouse is a nonresident of Connecticut, married filing separately is your Connecticut income tax filing status unless you file jointly for federal income tax purposes and you both elect to be treated as residents of Connecticut for the entire taxable year. In such case, you can elect to file a joint Connecticut income tax return. If an election is made, married filing jointly is your Connecticut income tax filing status.
- If you are both nonresidents of Connecticut and only one of you has income derived from or connected with sources within Connecticut, only that spouse is required to file a Connecticut income tax return and that spouse Connecticut income tax filing status is married filing separately unless you both elect to file a joint Connecticut income tax return. If an election is made, married filing jointly is your Connecticut income tax filing status.