Hi,

I am on an H1-B visa and have resident alien status and my spouse is on F1 visa. Also, I am in Missouri and spouse is in Massachusetts.

- Can we file the federal tax jointly using 1040 (not NR) with me claiming my spouse as resident alien?

Thanks.
Naveen

Yes, you can file joint return as residents. Once you make this choice, your spouse must start paying FICA taxes on the F1 income.

Not true about paying FICA taxes; see link below:

Nonresident Spouse Treated as a Resident (http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96370,00.html)