I got married a few months ago. My wife and I live in South Africa and we both work for the US government. I currently pay taxes in Virginia (where I own a condo). Before my wife quit her job to come out here, she had been paying taxes in Tennessee (where she's from and her parents still live). When she got her current job a month or so ago, she again listed her residence as Tennessee. Questions: 1) Can we file jointly if we are residents of different states? 2) I don't believe Tennessee charges income tax. Can I change my residence to Tennessee, too, even though I own property in Virginia? 3) If the answers to both of the above are no, should she change her residence to Virginia?
How long have you both been out of US?
You can file jointly even if you are resident of different states. If you are coming back to US - Are you both going to reside in Virginia or TN
I've been out of the US since mid-December 2008. My wife left February 28, 2009. Since we're both government employees, though, none of our income is exempt from US taxes.
When we return to the US (not sure when that will be), we'll most likely reside in Virginia.
In that case - your domicile is Virginia and you will both report VA as your resident state and file in VA. TN is not your resident state.
Let me know if you have any question.
Please note: This advice is provided with the understanding that all the relevant facts have been provided by you. Any change in facts might affect the advice given and hence may not be relied on in such cases. Nothing contained in this reply was intended or written to be used, can be used by any taxpayer, or may be relied upon or used by any taxpayer for the purposes of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Experience: CPA, MBA, Over 10 yrs of experience in tax planning and business consulting..