Our accountant is confusing me

[Moonc 0]

We got married in December 2nd 2019 and I arrived to the states in November 2019 and I got my SSN in the same week. I want us to file 2019 taxes as married jointly, but my husband's accountant says it might not be the most beneficial option for him?? (he owns a small business). The accountant also said I don't need to fill form 2555? I don't get it. I thought 2555 is a must for all K1 visa entrees. So what should we do, I don't understand the USA tax system at all, and finding a good accountant at this point seems so difficult. Is he right or wrong? Ps. I want to file jointly mainly because of USCIS. 

Edited March 20, 2020 by Moonc

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

Form 2555 is NOT necessarily required for all K-1 entrees.  It depends on your foreign income, your tax filing status and other factors. Your accountant might be right.  There are several factors which would determine the best filing strategy.  Even filing Married, Filing Separately requires the spouse's name and SSN to placed on the individual's tax return.

[Just Paul 4,595]

13 minutes ago, Moonc said:

I thought 2555 is a must for all K1 visa entrees.

Did you have foreign income?   Enough to file?

[geowrian 22,337]

1) USCIS doesn't care if you file jointly or separately. That's a personal tax decision, not a relationship one.

2) In most cases, filing jointly provides for a lower tax liability. But run both to confirm.

3) If filing jointly, you must claim both individual's worldwide incomes for the entire year. The 2555/2555EZ may or may not apply to reduce or eliminate the taxes owed on foreign income.

[Moonc 0]

1 hour ago, Lucky Cat said:

Form 2555 is NOT necessarily required for all K-1 entrees.  It depends on your foreign income, your tax filing status and other factors. Your accountant might be right.  There are several factors which would determine the best filing strategy.  Even filing Married, Filing Separately requires the spouse's name and SSN to placed on the individual's tax return.

Ok thank you! I feel so lost with all this paper work! My income in 2019 before moving here was around 20,000€. I'll check in with the accountant again 

[Moonc 0]

1 hour ago, Paul & Mary said:

Did you have foreign income?   Enough to file?

I made around 20,000€ before I moved here 

54 minutes ago, geowrian said:

1) USCIS doesn't care if you file jointly or separately. That's a personal tax decision, not a relationship one.

2) In most cases, filing jointly provides for a lower tax liability. But run both to confirm.

3) If filing jointly, you must claim both individual's worldwide incomes for the entire year. The 2555/2555EZ may or may not apply to reduce or eliminate the taxes owed on foreign income.

Thank you! I don't know where I got the idea that FMJ would be better for uscis

[payxibka 10,045]

Either way (MFJ or MFS) the spouse is named on the return