In the TaxAct® program, the federal information you enter flows to the attached state return(s). Because of this, you can't have a singular TaxAct return with different filing statuses for federal and state returns. If you want to use different filing statuses for your federal and state returns (example: married filing jointly for a federal return, and married filing separately for a state return), you will need to create multiple returns in the TaxAct program. There is an exception for states that allow a combined return with a filing status of married filing separate.
Married filing jointly for a federal return, and married filing separate for a state return:
Married filing separate for a federal return, and married filing jointly for a state return: