How many states are community property states?
Andrew Campbell
Updated on February 06, 2026
nine community property states
There are nine community property states: Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. In these states, all property of a married person is classified as either community property (owned jointly by both spouses) or the separate property of one spouse.
How do you split income in community property states?
When you live in a community property state and file separate returns, you each must report 50 percent of your spouse’s income and half of income generated by community assets, plus all of your separate income. The IRS has an allocation worksheet to simplify your calculations in Publication 555 Community Property.
What are community property debts?
California is a “community property” state, which means that generally, assets acquired and debts incurred by either spouse during the marriage belong equally to both spouses. An exception to the equal division rule arises when the value of the community debts exceeds the value of the community assets.
What states are community property states 2021?
Community Property States 2021
- Arizona.
- California.
- Idaho.
- Louisiana.
- Nevada.
- New Mexico.
- Texas.
- Washington.
Do I have community property income?
Generally, community income is income from: Community property; Salaries, wages, and other pay received for the services performed by you, your spouse (or your registered domestic partner), or both during your marriage (or registered domestic partnership) while domiciled in a community property state; and.
When is credit card debt considered community property?
In nine U.S. states, any debt you racked up during your marriage is considered “community property.” These states’ laws will affect you in the event of an annulment, divorce or death of a spouse. Here are eight things you should know about community property states and credit card debt.
How is community property determined in the event of death?
Death and Community Property. In non-community property states, laws prevent spouses from disinheriting their other halves. Most states allow a surviving spouse to receive a minimum of one half or one third of any property. In the event of death, community property laws can be vital in determining who receives property.
Who is responsible for each other’s community property debts?
Spouses are only responsible for each other’s community property debts, which are bills incurred during the course of the marriage. Spouses are not responsible for each other’s separate debts, however. These are the bills that the spouse already had before the marriage.
When is the community estate liable for a debt?
The community estate can be held liable for any debt incurred by either spouse prior to or during the course of the marriage, regardless of whether one or both spouses benefit from the debt. [Ca Fam §910 (a)] This does not include the earnings of the nondebtor spouse with regards to debts accumulated by the debtor spouse from before marriage.