This is the answer. The MSRRA allows you as a spouse to claim the military member’s residency state starting in the tax year that you’re married.
That said, the complication is that you are exempt from state income taxes if you moved to that state to comply with military orders. So if you move to Virginia to be closer to your spouse where they are stationed, after you’re married, this might apply: source
You will still get taxes withheld based on where you physically live from your pay check and need your employer to have your true home address (look into if the state where you live has a method for your employer to exempt you from those taxes ahead of time).
Like the poster prior said, online tax companies should be well aware of this and useable even in this situation - it’s the law and it’s common. Don’t let some of these posters have you second guess or feel guilty that you’re taking advantage of this law, they presumably don’t have to move every few years or deal with any of the other aspects of being a military spouse.
And finally— some of the info you’ll read will say that you can only claim the same state of residence as your spouse if you also had established residency there prior to being married. That changed in 2018 in the Veterans Benefits and Transitions Act, see Title III: Source
Signed, 3 military moves & one marriage in 3 years
eventhroughfire t1_ja39q57 wrote
Reply to comment by h_nikole in Anyone know a DC tax advisor versed in military situations? by Friendly-Growth1903
This is the answer. The MSRRA allows you as a spouse to claim the military member’s residency state starting in the tax year that you’re married.
That said, the complication is that you are exempt from state income taxes if you moved to that state to comply with military orders. So if you move to Virginia to be closer to your spouse where they are stationed, after you’re married, this might apply: source
You will still get taxes withheld based on where you physically live from your pay check and need your employer to have your true home address (look into if the state where you live has a method for your employer to exempt you from those taxes ahead of time).
Like the poster prior said, online tax companies should be well aware of this and useable even in this situation - it’s the law and it’s common. Don’t let some of these posters have you second guess or feel guilty that you’re taking advantage of this law, they presumably don’t have to move every few years or deal with any of the other aspects of being a military spouse.
And finally— some of the info you’ll read will say that you can only claim the same state of residence as your spouse if you also had established residency there prior to being married. That changed in 2018 in the Veterans Benefits and Transitions Act, see Title III: Source
Signed, 3 military moves & one marriage in 3 years