Tax Forms Needed for treating spouse as resident

[Glenn&Molly 1]

Hello,

 

After a trip to H&R Block where it seemed apparent the lady did not know what she was doing, I want to figure out how to just file myself for our first year. My spouse has income from Canada and was only in the US for the last week of 2016. What forms do I fill out for the foreign tax exclusion? Is it just 2555 and the letter to treat her as a resident for the full year?

 

Thank you

[Glenn&Molly 1]

Follow up question, am I required to report my wife's Canadian income? She is already paying taxes and filing in Canada. According to TurboTax, it seems like my return went from 600 bucks to owing 170 when I tried to enter her foreign income...that doesn't seem right

[Gitana 11]

yes you need to write statement about your spouse being resident for full tax year. 

if you file joint return and claiming your wife as resident then yes, you have to report her Canadian income

Form 2555 for reporting foreign income. If it's less than 101 300 then she wouldn't be taxed on it.

 your tax wend down probably because claiming her as resident made it possible to get exemption and deduction for her as well?

 

Edited February 27, 2017 by Gitana