tax time

[sarahsmiles 0]

My husband has been here in the U.S. as my dependent since May 2006. He has not been employed at all during this time. How am I supposed to file? Thanks for any help.

[payxibka 10,047]

My husband has been here in the U.S. as my dependent since May 2006. He has not been employed at all during this time. How am I supposed to file? Thanks for any help.

Most likely Married Filing Joint

[ctjwa 0]

My husband has been here in the U.S. as my dependent since May 2006. He has not been employed at all during this time. How am I supposed to file? Thanks for any help.

I'm not a tax professional, but assuming he has a social security number already, and you don't have anything but ordinary income from your job, it sounds like it is a simple case of filing jointly. Should get a little bit of a break since you will be able to claim 2 personal exemptions instaid of 1. If you own your own home, pay for college tuition, or anything else that might get you a deduction it's worth talking to somebody who can either help you or do your taxes for you. The cost will be negated by your increased refund.

[Darkchild80 0]

Did he have income in his country? You should file married jointly and include his international income. You can receive a tax break for using international income. Make sure you end ties with his home country especially if he is from Canada! Some countries can come later with large tax bills. It can effect both of you. Good luck

[rebeccajo 14]

Married filing jointly will probably give you the best tax picture for 2006. He's not your dependant - you and he each have an exemption.

There is also a 'physical presence' test for aliens which has to do with the number of days they have been in this country. As he's been here since May he should meet that test, but you need to run it anyway.

If he earned income in his home country before he came over in 2006, you'll need to declare that income. Unless your combined incomes are over $80000 you probably won't pay any tax on that income, but you need to declare it nonetheless (yes there's another form for that).

The first year of filing when the foreign spouse arrives can be a bit daunting. You might need to have a tax preparer do your return this year, or use a tax program.

You can receive a tax break for using international income.

How?

[Nanusia & Lukaszek 0]

My husband has been here in the U.S. as my dependent since May 2006. He has not been employed at all during this time. How am I supposed to file? Thanks for any help.

You should file "married filing jointly", even though only one spouse has income, this is the correct way. And it also gives you the bonus of a bigger deduction for 2 people instead of 1.

I think this would also help at AOS interview, because it proves the relationship & finances are together.

[sarahsmiles 0]

Rebecclajo, is there an amount that he must make before he has to claim any foreign income for 2006? He was only employed as a tutor part-time in Jan-Feb 06, so we're probably talking about less than $100 worth of income.

[sarahsmiles 0]

Make sure you end ties with his home country especially if he is from Canada! Some countries can come later with large tax bills. It can effect both of you.

End ties? What exactly does that mean?

[Darkchild80 0]

Make sure you end ties with his home country especially if he is from Canada! Some countries can come later with large tax bills. It can effect both of you.

End ties? What exactly does that mean?

In most countries especially Canada you need to end financial ties. Financial ties>>clearing any tax issues and filing an exit income tax return due to immigrating from the country. I am sorry I don't know your hubby's country but I hope this helps.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You can receive a tax break for using international income.

How?

I think Darkchild may be referring to the Foreign Tax Credit. It isn't actually a break for using international income - it means that if there is a tax treaty between the US and the foreign country it may allow the applicant to declare all of his/her international income as if it were US income but receive a tax credit for the foreign tax deducted at source from the foreign country so that it isn't double taxed. All foreign income must be converted to US dollars. It allows a married couple to obtain the deductions available through married, filing jointly that might not otherwise be available if filing separately. If this isn't what Darkchild means, then I don't know either:-).

[rebeccajo 14]

Well, that's the only thing I know of as well. But I'm always willing to learn...

Edited January 22, 2007 by rebeccajo

[Kez/JWolf 6]

I will take a break form doing tax return to read this answer.... as I have never heard of it either... if it does exist then I may have done 100's of tax returns wrong over the last 2 years....

Kez

[am1996 0]

You can receive a tax break for using international income.

How?

Depending on the circumstances and on the tax treaties that the US has with quite a few foreign countries, the alien may be able to claim a tax credit or an itemized deduction for the foreign income taxes that he/she was required to pay.

The OP should review Publications 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad, 514, Foreign Tax Credit for Individuals, and 901, U.S. Tax Treaties, which discuss the treatment of foreign income, the foreign tax credit, and the general tax treaty benefits that may be available.

TurboTax/Taxact are two of the low cost software packages you may want to look into that can greatly simplify the process for you. Just make sure that the software version (web version, Basic, Deluxe, Premier, etc...) supports Form 2555, Foreign Earned Income.

P.S.

Oops, Kathryn41 has already answered this question before I did.

Edited January 22, 2007 by am1996

[Kez/JWolf 6]

oh time to leave....

not getting into this one...

Kez

[rebeccajo 14]

oh time to leave....

not getting into this one...

Kez

Kez......it probably only affects larger incomes. Amounts over $80000.