Definition: In community property states, married persons are considered to own their property, assets, and income jointly. If the married couple decides to file separate tax returns, they must follow their state rules for community income. Generally, both spouses must analyze their income to find out how much of their income belongs to the marital community and how much of their income belongs to each spouse separately. The spouses then report half of their community income and all of their separate income, and report half of their community deductions plus all of their separate deductions. The community property states are:
- Arizona
- California
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Washington
- Wisconsin
