Married January 2020 - File 2019 Taxes as Married?

[InRainbows14 17]

Hello, I (the beneficiary) entered the US in December 2019, and got married to a US citizen in January 2020. I sent AOS paperwork 2 weeks ago.

 

We're now looking into filing taxes for 2019. Apologies if this is a silly question, but am I right in thinking that, because we weren't married in 2019, we can't file a joint/ married tax return for 2019?

 

If so, where does this leave our tax situation?

Does my wife just file an individual return for 2019?

Do I (the beneficiary) still need to file a tax return?

 

I don't meet the IRS 'Substantial Presence Test'. 

 

Any advice greatly appreciated - thanks. 

Edited February 11, 2020 by InRainbows14

[Wuozopo 4,293]

@InRainbows14
 

Your wife files 2019 taxes as a single. She was single in the last day of 2019. You file nothing. 

Edited February 11, 2020 by Wuozopo

[Crazy Cat 41,886]

If you had no income in 2019, then you are not required to file.  Your wife cannot file as married for 2019.  

[Just Paul 4,595]

Not married on December 31, 2019 make your spouse single.

[InRainbows14 17]

1 minute ago, Wuozopo said:

Your wife files 2019 taxes as a single. She was single in the last day of 2019. You file nothing. 

Wow, thank you everyone for your quick and informative replies - what a great community! 

 

Would you mind quickly explaining why I file nothing? I (the beneficiary) worked in the UK throughout 2019. I thought worldwide income needed to be declared?

 

Obviously I'm not challenging your (very informed) opinion here - more just seeking reassurance as to why I am exempt, and that I won't run into problems in the future due to non-filing.

 

[Crazy Cat 41,886]

1 minute ago, InRainbows14 said:

Wow, thank you everyone for your quick and informative replies - what a great community! 

 

Would you mind quickly explaining why I file nothing? I (the beneficiary) worked in the UK throughout 2019. I thought worldwide income needed to be declared?

 

Obviously I'm not challenging your (very informed) opinion here - more just seeking reassurance as to why I am exempt, and that I won't run into problems in the future due to non-filing.

 

You were in the US less than a month....you don't meet the tax resident requirements for 2019.....Am I correct, @Wuozopo?

[Lil bear 4,218]

7 minutes ago, missileman said:

You were in the US less than a month....you don't meet the tax resident requirements for 2019.....Am I correct, @Wuozopo?

Correct. Unless the total number of days in the US during the past 3 years causes OP to meet the IRS tax residency requirement. 

[InRainbows14 17]

Thank you for your answers, everyone! 

[Just Paul 4,595]

1 hour ago, InRainbows14 said:

Wow, thank you everyone for your quick and informative replies - what a great community! 

 

Would you mind quickly explaining why I file nothing? I (the beneficiary) worked in the UK throughout 2019. I thought worldwide income needed to be declared?

 

Obviously I'm not challenging your (very informed) opinion here - more just seeking reassurance as to why I am exempt, and that I won't run into problems in the future due to non-filing.

 

If you are feeling left out you can do a practice filing online

 

 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, InRainbows14 said:

Would you mind quickly explaining why I file nothing? I (the beneficiary) worked in the UK throughout 2019. I thought worldwide income needed to be declared?

The short and sweet answer is US income tax is generally speaking, for people who had US income. You didn’t. Even people who have been in the US 25 years wouldn’t have to file if they didn’t earn an income. 
 

You have no doubt picked up on people talking about declaring their worldwide income. That is for joint filers who were married by tax year end, Dec 31. You weren’t married so have no option to file jointly with a spouse until 2020 calendar year and tax year ends. 

[InRainbows14 17]

7 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

The short and sweet answer is US income tax is generally speaking, for people who had US income. You didn’t. Even people who have been in the US 25 years wouldn’t have to file if they didn’t earn an income. 
 

You have no doubt picked up on people talking about declaring their worldwide income. That is for joint filers who were married by tax year end, Dec 31. You weren’t married so have no option to file jointly with a spouse until 2020 calendar year and tax year ends. 

Thank you - much appreciated!