Is it important to file taxes together ?

[aa6587 0]

How important it is to file taxes together for spouses? Is it going to effect negatively later on if you haven't filed taxes together later on when you renew your Green card after 2 years? Surely there are a lot of couples who are in different cities/states due to work / college etc and have to file seperately, does it prolongs the case in immigration?

We would be filing seperately but we're concerned about whether it's important or not, we would definitely not want to complicate our case if it's not recommended and create issues.

[Erica & L 50]

My wife and I filed MFS this year only because we didn't really have time to send off a W-7 form and go through the hassle of trying to obtain an ITIN number because she had back-taxes we needed to pay off by a deadline with the 2013 return and we needed the money from her return as soon as possible to just generally help us out financially.

If you have other sufficient evidence to help your case and to show proof your marriage is bona fide (which we do) I don't see the USCIS speculating or judging your case solely on that one element. Everyone's situations are different.

Edited April 3, 2014 by Erica & Lily

[aa6587 0]

Thank you for quick response. We do have proof however, sometimes things just get delayed and if you know it'll complicate the case in the long run, you should avoid it. We definitely have reasons for not being able to file together but i would like to know if someone has first hand experience on that matter. If it's ABSOLUTELY required or not.

[novedsac 355]

It's not important from an immigration perspective - MFS or MFJ is still married.

From a financial perspective, most situations fare better MFJ than MFS , ie you'd likely have a lower tax burden filing MFJ (bigger refund if you have more tax withheld from your paycheck than necessary).

I don't really think people living in different cities/states have much of a problem - by the time payroll/interest statements are due to most people, most of use have 2 to 2-1/2 months to complete and file the return - mailing the return for a signature shouldn't take more than a week or two.

[aa6587 0]

What's MFS or MFJ?

Don't they have some standard points to check when they renew the greencard after 2 years? Isn't filing taxes together one of them?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It is fairly important. Being in separate states has nothing to do with it so that is a weak excuse. Good luck.

[Morningmist 76]

I had the same question.

it's not always true that Married filed jointly will give you the highest amount back. If you and your husband earn similar salaries then when you add the amount together it might throw you into a higher tax bracket than if you file separately. Also a higher joint income has made us ineligible for certain tax breaks that my husband would be entitled to if we file separately, decreasing his overall tax liability. All the different tax software says we should file separately to get a higher return back or to minimize our tax liability.

We have other proof of a bonafide relationship. I do wonder if taxes overrides everything else.

[kzielu 1,149]

It's not important. Two years in row filed MFS for the reason of getting higher return than MFJ. RoC was no problem at all (had plenty of other evidence but attached two first pages of form 1040).

[gwenstar 66]

What's MFS or MFJ?

Don't they have some standard points to check when they renew the greencard after 2 years? Isn't filing taxes together one of them?

MFS - Married filing Separately

MFJ - Married filing Jointly

Either way - you should be filing as married. If you are married, it does not matter where the spouses live/work whether it is within the US or out of the country - you are married and must file married.

You do not have to file taxes jointly - as long as they are filed as married (not as single) then that is fine