Filing single or married?

[EmpressJA 11]

Does it matter if I file my income tax single or married? I've been married to my husband for almost a year and he lives in jamaica and I've already sent in I-130 for him.. If I file single is that a red flag for nvc? Would It be better if I file married.?

Edited April 21, 2014 by Sutanya

[christeen 966]

If your are married, you are not single, you file married. Does not matter if they are not physically present in the USA, married is married. You can file married filing seperate and put the letters NRA in the box for his SSN... You can ammend later for joint once he gets social...

[EmpressJA 11]

If your are married, you are not single, you file married. Does not matter if they are not physically present in the USA, married is married. You can file married filing seperate and put the letters NRA in the box for his SSN... You can ammend later for joint once he gets social...

Oh ok, because the guy who filed my taxes said it was right that I file as single because he's not living in the US so that was what I did I filed as single.. Will that effect our petition in anyway? Edited April 21, 2014 by Sutanya

[abg 25]

Oh ok, because the guy who filed my taxes said it was right that I file as single because he's not living in the US so that was what I did I filed as single.. Will that effect our petition in anyway?

no it will not. when you fill out W4 you must claim single if spouse is abroad without ss number and is NRA. you should have filed married filing separately. you paid the taxman more than he is owed. just explain if questioned or apply for ITN for spouse and amend return and let taxman give you back some of your money.

[kenanna 39]

NVC does not care how you fill out your W-4. This is your personal decision and your employer will take out taxes accordingly. You have 3 choices; MFS, MFJ, or HOH.

Not single.

[EmpressJA 11]

Thank you guys so much

[pushbrk 12,893]

Oh ok, because the guy who filed my taxes said it was right that I file as single because he's not living in the US so that was what I did I filed as single.. Will that effect our petition in anyway?

Consular Officers see this all the time. No worries. Technically, you filed with the wrong status but unless you actually work for the IRS, there's no penalty for doing so. Paying extra taxes is not against the law. You can amend the return once your spouse arrives and has a Social Security number.

[EmpressJA 11]

Consular Officers see this all the time. No worries. Technically, you filed with the wrong status but unless you actually work for the IRS, there's no penalty for doing so. Paying extra taxes is not against the law. You can amend the return once your spouse arrives and has a Social Security number.

Thanks so much, now that I know, next year I will definitely file as married..

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Tax & Finances During US Immigration forum.

[novedsac 355]

NVC does not care how you fill out your W-4. This is your personal decision and your employer will take out taxes accordingly. You have 3 choices; MFS, MFJ, or HOH.

Not single.

HOH is only a choice if there is another qualifying dependent residing with the OP for six months of the year or more. OP has not provided enough information to determine if HOH is a viable option.

Anyway, I really don't think it will matter to NVC.

[Ortolan 381]

If you're married, file either as "Married Filing Single" or "Married Filing Jointly". You're married. Pick one or the other.

Even though it won't matter at this point to NVC, it kind of sets a bad precedent if you file as Single, 'cause it ain't true....

[pushbrk 12,893]

It's an error without a consequence, but often an error with a benefit. For example, I filed single for 2005 electronically, as soon as I could and used the quick refund to finance my second visit to China. We then amended the return a few months later for a couple hundred more in refund. There are no penalties for paying more tax than is due.

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

It's an error without a consequence, but often an error with a benefit. For example, I filed single for 2005 electronically, as soon as I could and used the quick refund to finance my second visit to China. We then amended the return a few months later for a couple hundred more in refund. There are no penalties for paying more tax than is due.

Stop telling people that it is ok to file single when they are actually married. Just because it had no consequences for you doesn't mean that is true for everybody.

[flora01 37]

Does it matter if I file my income tax single or married? I've been married to my husband for almost a year and he lives in jamaica and I've already sent in I-130 for him.. If I file single is that a red flag for nvc? Would It be better if I file married.?

I got married in 2011 and came to US in 2012,still my husband filed 2011 taxes as married.

If you are married ,better not to write single anywhere.

[EmpressJA 11]

I got married in 2011 and came to US in 2012,still my husband filed 2011 taxes as married.

If you are married ,better not to write single anywhere.

I was just wondering if I was gona be penalized for doing so because the guy who did my taxes told me that's how I should file.. I'm young and this is all still very new to me.. Lol, but from now on I won't be filing as single wether my husband lives in the US or not..