Tax filing question for K3 Visa holder

[guitarboy53 0]

Hello all,

I have always filed taxes in the single category. My wife will be here in a few days and she will not have any taxable income by the end of this year. Also, I am assuming she will not have a ssn before the end of the year as well. My questions is should I file something other than single (like head of household, married filing separately or jointly, etc.)? I am thinking that my status will need to remain single for this years tax purposes, even though we married in February. Thanks for your input!

Matt

[payxibka 10,045]

Hello all,

I have always filed taxes in the single category. My wife will be here in a few days and she will not have any taxable income by the end of this year. Also, I am assuming she will not have a ssn before the end of the year as well. My questions is should I file something other than single (like head of household, married filing separately or jointly, etc.)? I am thinking that my status will need to remain single for this years tax purposes, even though we married in February. Thanks for your input!

Matt

Your tax status is your marital status on the last day of the year. Married filing joint or married filing separate are your choices. Always file the status that provides you the least legal tax liability. If your wife has an SSN then good, if not get her an ITIN and file the best way!

[desert_fox 32]

married filing jointly will minimize your tax obligation.

[mendeleev 68]

Check out this thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=43104

If you are married you are married. The question is whether to file jointly or separately. If you can file jointly even if the beneficiary spouse has not yet ever set foot in the United States, for sure you can/should file jointly.

If she doesn't have a SSN, you'll need to file a W-7 to get a ITIN number for your taxes -- even if you file separately.

Since she has not income -- you'll taxes will be lower if you file jointly.

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Heck yes, you should strongly consider filing jointly! It will save you big time.

On another note, you can only request a Taxpayer Identification Number for your spouse under certain conditions (see instructions for Form W-7 on the IRS.gov web site). If she is in the U.S., she can only apply for a TIN IF she is not otherwise eligible to obtain a social security number. Whether she can get a social security number, Ibelieve, depends on whether she has an EAD. If she is eligible for an SSN, she should apply for one immediately.