Hi,

I am currently on H1B status, and have been recently married to someone with a F1 status. My question is two fold..
1. Is there any advantage of filing taxes together?
2. If we do decide to file together, what are the appropriate forms that we need to fill out?

Any help would be extremely appreciated.
Thanks.
pska

PSKA:

How long have you been on H-1B visa status? If you have been on H-1B visa status for all of 2005, then you must file as a resident alien (Form 1040/1040A/1040EZ). Your spouse can also, at her option, file jointly with you on these forms.

The biggest advantage would be that you could claim the Married Filing Jointly standard deduction of $10,000. Most non-resident do not have that option.