Can I file a joint Pennsylvania return if my spouse and I have different residency statuses?

Pennsylvania does not allow joint Pennsylvania returns to be filed for spouses with different residency periods unless both spouses elect to use the same residency period and meet all other requirements for filing jointly. If one spouse is a resident and the other spouse is not, you must both elect to file as Pennsylvania residents if you want to file a joint return.

To file using our software, both spouses must either:

• Use the same residency status, or
• File as Married Filing Separately on both the federal and Pennsylvania returns.

If you and your spouse choose to file as Married Filing Separately due to different residency statuses or due to not meeting the joint filing conditions, you will need to set up a separate FreeTaxUSA account for each spouse and file your state returns separately.