Any tax experts out there?

[golferadam 0]

My wife was a student for the whole year during 2005. Is there any form we need to fill out (other than our 1040) declaring that she had no income?

[Yodrak 7]

zyggy,

You're taking the pressure off me - thanks.

Yodrak

Brian_bellingham,

...

The maximum that can be excluded is $80,000 if the person was out of the USA for the full tax year. Golferadam said that his wife arrived in the USA on August 10, so she was out of the USA for a little more than half the year. A little more than half of $80,000 is $45,000.

Yodrak

Or if you really want to be ####### it would be $49,753

[zyggy 9]

zyggy,

You're taking the pressure off me - thanks.

Yodrak

Brian_bellingham,

...

The maximum that can be excluded is $80,000 if the person was out of the USA for the full tax year. Golferadam said that his wife arrived in the USA on August 10, so she was out of the USA for a little more than half the year. A little more than half of $80,000 is $45,000.

Yodrak

Or if you really want to be ####### it would be $49,753

Chuckle... My pleasure my friend...

Zyg

Edited March 3, 2006 by zyggy

[Yodrak 7]

golferadam,

No form that I'm aware of.

(Note that being a student does not mean that one has no income - many students have income. If you want to offer an explanation think of a better one - such as she didn't work or have any investments.)

Yodrak

My wife was a student for the whole year during 2005. Is there any form we need to fill out (other than our 1040) declaring that she had no income?

[golferadam 0]

golferadam,

No form that I'm aware of.

(Note that being a student does not mean that one has no income - many students have income. If you want to offer an explanation think of a better one - such as she didn't work or have any investments.)

Yodrak

Good observation. I plan to make it more explicit that she did not work during 2005 when I write the letter. Thanks.

[motu 6]

I filed my taxes using Taxact (FREE) and they were filed Jointly; I excluded all of her 'foreign' income using Form 2555. AND I didn't submit any letter stating that we are making this election (Married filing jointly.) The return was accepted (filed electronically) and we have received the refund also! You can do the same. Good Luck

[golferadam 0]

I am preparing to submit my federal taxes electronically. Because my wife didn't file last year, we have to sign the return with paper. Do you think it is okay to send the letter stating we wish to have her considered a resident alien with the signature page for our return?