Do I need to file taxes?

[Arctic Fox 4]

Hi all!

 

I moved to the USA under a K1 Visa Jan. 3rd 2019, married March 2019, and received my green card July 2019. I started working the last week of December 2019 but was not paid until January 2020, so I do not have a W2/that doesn't apply. So basically, I was here nearly all of 2019 and didn't have any income. Do I need to file taxes? If so, how would I go about that? 

 

Thank you

[SalishSea 17,829]

17 minutes ago, Arctic Fox said:

Hi all!

 

I moved to the USA under a K1 Visa Jan. 3rd 2019, married March 2019, and received my green card July 2019. I started working the last week of December 2019 but was not paid until January 2020, so I do not have a W2/that doesn't apply. So basically, I was here nearly all of 2019 and didn't have any income. Do I need to file taxes? If so, how would I go about that? 

 

Thank you

This is a convo you should be having with your USC spouse.  He/she will need to be filing MFS or MFJ.

[Mike E 11,739]

If you are still married and not separated from your spouse,  I strongly advise your spouse and you to file a joint tax return for 2019.  It will help during the RoC.  

[Wuozopo 4,293]

6 hours ago, Arctic Fox said:

Hi all!

 

I moved to the USA under a K1 Visa Jan. 3rd 2019, married March 2019, and received my green card July 2019. I started working the last week of December 2019 but was not paid until January 2020, so I do not have a W2/that doesn't apply. So basically, I was here nearly all of 2019 and didn't have any income. Do I need to file taxes? If so, how would I go about that? 

 

Thank you

You earned no US income in 2019 to tax, so your filing is not required.
 

BUT you may file a joint return with your American spouse and it may be a tax advantage to him because of getting an extra $12,200 standard deduction for the spouse. On a joint return, your Canadian income for 2019 would have to be reported,  but Form 2555 Foreign Income Exclusion will eliminate the tax your Canadian income would create.  Your spouse should try it both ways—

Married Filing Jointly (reporting his income and the Canadian income)

Married Filing Separately (reporting only his US income)

 

Go with the one that gives the least taxation. That most often is joint. Removing Conditions should not influence your choice. Go with the one that saves you $$$.