should I file tax return jointly with my non-resident wife.

[hopelifebetter201 72]

Hi everyone. I am looking for the advice. My wife is currently immigrating on CR-1, She never been to the US. Should I file 2017 tax return jointly with her or just file it as "single" until she enter the US and get the SSN? what is the good things and bad things if I do so? 

thank you.

Edited January 2, 2018 by hopelifebetter201

[LionessDeon 2,060]

You don't file single if your married.  You either file Married filing separate or Married filing joint. 

[payxibka 10,045]

4 minutes ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

Hi everyone. I am looking for the advice. My wife is currently immigrating on CR-1, She never been to the US. Should I file 2017 tax return jointly with her or just file it as "single" until she enter the US and get the SSN? what is the good things and bad things if I do so? 

thank you.

You are MARRIED.  You cannot file as a single individual.

 

You can file MFS or MFJ whichever results i a better tax liability for you

[hopelifebetter201 72]

5 minutes ago, payxibka said:

You are MARRIED.  You cannot file as a single individual.

 

You can file MFS or MFJ whichever results i a better tax liability for you

so if i file either MFS or MFJ my wife need a ITIN number first right? it mean I have to wait until she has that number then file tax return ? or we can apply for ITIN number and file tax return at the same time? i  am confused a little bit here. thanks.

[Italian_in_NYC 259]

1 minute ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

so if i file either MFS or MFJ my wife need a ITIN number first right? it mean I have to wait until she has that number then file tax return ? or we can apply for ITIN number and file tax return at the same time? i  am confused a little bit here. thanks.

If you're filing as MFS she does not need an ITIN.

If MFJ is the best way (double check. Also double check the prep fee if she holds assets overseas), then you have the option to file for an extension and hopefully by Oct 15 she will have a SSN.

[payxibka 10,045]

2 minutes ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

so if i file either MFS or MFJ my wife need a ITIN number first right? it mean I have to wait until she has that number then file tax return ? or we can apply for ITIN number and file tax return at the same time? i  am confused a little bit here. thanks.

If you file MFJ she will need an ITIN.  Read the W-7 for the processing and the required documentation.  You can submit with the return

[hopelifebetter201 72]

2 minutes ago, Italian_in_NYC said:

If you're filing as MFS she does not need an ITIN.

If MFJ is the best way (double check. Also double check the prep fee if she holds assets overseas), then you have the option to file for an extension and hopefully by Oct 15 she will have a SSN.

If i file MFS so she has to file her own tax return?  

you mean Oct 15 this year she will have a SSN even if she not enter the US yet ? 

how long after i sent them paperwork i get everything back ? 

thanks for your helps.

[Italian_in_NYC 259]

6 minutes ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

If i file MFS so she has to file her own tax return?  

you mean Oct 15 this year she will have a SSN even if she not enter the US yet ? 

how long after i sent them paperwork i get everything back ? 

thanks for your helps.

1.no

2. I don't know when she will have a SSN, it depends on when she gets admitted. You can still file for an extension and wait to see what happens. If she has a SSN before the extended deadline of Oct 15, then you can use that and file MFJ. Please know that it is an extension to file, not an extension to pay, so if you have a balance due, it must be paid with the extension by Apr 15.

3. No idea. What paperwork? If you send a W-7 with the proper documentation with the tax return, you will get an ITIN number back in a few weeks.