To anyone here that did F1 to Green Card

[Franciscus 32]

Hi, so, if you did F1 to green card, you probably found yourself in this scenario: you have a 1042-s form (for the part of the year you were on F1 status), but you are filling taxes as a green card holder (as you should).

What did you do about this???

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks !!!

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

Hi, so, if you did F1 to green card, you probably found yourself in this scenario: you have a 1042-s form (for the part of the year you were on F1 status), but you are filling taxes as a green card holder (as you should).

What did you do about this???

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks !!!

The year that you get your green card you are considered a Dual-Status taxpayer. See Chapter 6 of IRS Publication 519 - U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens for instructions on what to do in a dual-status tax year. Here is a link to the publication: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p519.pdf

[Franciscus 32]

The year that you get your green card you are considered a Dual-Status taxpayer. See Chapter 6 of IRS Publication 519 - U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens for instructions on what to do in a dual-status tax year. Here is a link to the publication: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p519.pdf

Thank you so much for your answer. From what I am reading, it looks like I have the choice to be considered dual-status or to be considered US resident for the whole year (Choosing resident alien status, page 8).

Could you tell me if you considered both options and it turned out Dual-Status was better for you, or if you only considered Dual-Status?

Thank you again !!!

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

Thank you so much for your answer. From what I am reading, it looks like I have the choice to be considered dual-status or to be considered US resident for the whole year (Choosing resident alien status, page 8).

Could you tell me if you considered both options and it turned out Dual-Status was better for you, or if you only considered Dual-Status?

.Thank you again !!!

It is a rare situation when a married couple is better off filing separate returns instead of a joint return. At least that has been my experience. If you are married to a U.S. citizen then I would recommend that you make the election to be treated as a resident alien for the whole year and file a joint return with your spouse.

The year my wife came to America I did not have to consider whether it would be better to file separately or jointly. My wife did not work in Russia that year because she was recovering from a broken shoulder. I was the sole breadwinner that year So I knew that filing a joint return would be more advantageous.

[Franciscus 32]

It is a rare situation when a married couple is better off filing separate returns instead of a joint return. At least that has been my experience. If you are married to a U.S. citizen then I would recommend that you make the election to be treated as a resident alien for the whole year and file a joint return with your spouse.

The year my wife came to America I did not have to consider whether it would be better to file separately or jointly. My wife did not work in Russia that year because she was recovering from a broken shoulder. I was the sole breadwinner that year So I knew that filing a joint return would be more advantageous.

Thank you so much !