New Immigrant with Foreign Income - Need Guidance

[Zia Abbas 0]

Dear VJ users,

First, I really benefited from this forum during immigration application phase. Thanks for all the valuable contributions you make to this site.

I have immigrated to US in Aug'15, however I'm still employed by my foreign employer and have been virtually working for a couple months before applying for 2 year re-entry permit (I-131) that I'm still awaiting for decision (now returned to Singapore). My wife didn't work in 2015 and had no income to show. Being new to the country, I'm a little overwhelmed by the complexity of tax filing process given my foreign employment & pending I-131 application (if that matters?). Please see below key timeline information and help to answer following questions. I would appreciate any help in this regard.

Citizenship: Pakistan

Employment Location: Singapore, through out 2015. Started working in Singapore 8 years ago.

US Resident Since: Aug'15

Worked Remotely from US in 2015: 3 months i.e. Aug, Sept, December, (traveled to Singapore for Oct & Nov)

- Should I & my wife must file Married Filing Jointly?

- Would I need to show my full year 2015 income, even when I only became resident in Aug'15?

- Should I apply for Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, considering my Singapore based incomes and work-from-home arrangement for 3 months in US during 2015?

- Is Singapore considered my tax home for 2015, since I drew my entire year income from the company & job based there?

- Did I pass the bona-fide residence and/or physical presence test to apply for Foreign Earned Income Exclusion? I'm most confused with this point.

- Is there a list available, confirming the names of countries who has tax treaties in place with US?

Best,

Zia

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Publication 519 on the IRS website https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p519.pdf is a better place to sort your specific situation than a forum like this. It tells you exactly how to count your days toward physical presence or meet the greencard test and whether you are non-resident alien or resident alien for taxes or even dual status. There are various options and you have to pick the one that works to your advantage.

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Irs.gov also has a search engine to help you find tax treaty info. Or search tax home for example and you will find something like this where it is explained by the IRS. https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Foreign-Earned-Income-Exclusion---Tax-Home-in-Foreign-Country

Study Publication 519, all of it, until you understand it. It is the official source. You can get incorrect answers on a forum or be steered to one option that might not be your best.