E-File or Paper File (That is the question!)

[Hemzi 244]

So, in my case, I'm the Resident/Non-Resident Alien in this case. I came over to the US on a K1 Fiance Visa, I'm just writing about my experience on filing 2018 taxes with my husband this year, because I know a lot of people have a question about this and a lot of people get confused on what you can or cannot do or get apprehensive if someone advises otherwise. 

To explain my status, I applied for a SSN straight away and after marriage was able to get my name changed. So, I have not required an ITIN. I am not sure about the tax filing for those that require an ITIN and this is just perhaps to give those who have up to date SSN's some peace of mind. 

I went to a CPA/Tax Specialist near me with my husband the Saturday before last. We filed MFJ (Married filing jointly). I explained all that I know, and from what I understood, I also thought we needed to paper file as it was my first time filing taxes. CPA/Tax Specialist I had, had previously worked with the IRS and he assured me that there shouldn't really be an issue with us e-filing as long as all of our information is correct. I did state that I need to send a statement and showed him the details from the IRS website, he said he had seen the same information but all we had to do is send the statement via post and they would be able to match up the letter with the e-file. 

As I currently, have active joint accounts abroad with my mother, I also filled in the FBAR alongside his guidance (there were times last year that the accumulative amount between the accounts reached over $10,000 - when you do this form you then need to give an account of every account you own on your own and joint). 

Come exactly a week later, our tax refund was approved and put into our account - so despite my apprehension. E-filing and sending off the letter clearly works. I am sure the IRS would have pulled us aside if there were any issues (as part of the tax refund for us was getting refund from the foreign income that I had generated last year) and my foreign address was put on there. 

I hope this gives a peace of mind to those who are still looking to file or who have had apprehension like me when going to a specialist, to see if they actually will action out the refund if it's done by e-file.