Thank you but if I don't answer this on the Fed Info Wks then it marks an error. In the other case both parties established residence in IL at the same time. In this case they established residence at different times but I am only given the option to answer once for "If part-year resident, date residence established... (this is above the section where I can enter the dates for each). Thanks again.

File separate state returns?

Maybe. States and tax software are not very user friendly when spouses live in different states.

True on that. I filed separate for my wife and I when we were doing long distance for a couple years after we married. I have filed separate for others. Its probably the way I would handle it.  

Of course some (unfriendly) states require you  to use the same filing status as on your federal return.

Most don't make it easy even if they do allow a different filing status though. :sweat_smile:

true