Filing status: different between fed and state

I was wondering if we can have different filing status for our federal return and state return. Say, we file joint return for federal and separate return for state. If this is possible, how do we explain the attached federal return at state return?

The reason I am asking is that both my wife and I work in 2003. But I worked at two states and my wife only worked at one state. We were wondering what would be best filing status for us in general.

Thanks!

Binareda

Binareda,

Check the state filing procedures.

Typically you file a part year resident form if you lived in the state where you were working and moved out of that state, or into the state you moved into.

If you lived in one state the entire year and worked in another, you file a non-resident tax form for the state where you worked.
You file a resident form for the state where you lived.

The state filing instructions will tell you how to determine your filing status.