Hi, I am an international student in US. I am filing the 1040NR-EZ form currently and accordign to the instructions for alien students, my filing status is "single" although I have been married for four years. I wonder whether I can contribute to ROTH IRA before I become a resident alien. My concern is, in the publication, it says:

Married filing separately (if the couple lived together for any part of the year): $0 (to qualify for a full contribution); $0-$10,000 (to be eligible for a partial contribution).

My AGI is over 10000 now. Can I still contribute to ROTH IRA?

Thanks a lot!

Yes, you CAN contribute to the ROTH IRA.

For purposes of contributing to the ROTH IRA, you are considered SINGLE.

IF you're married filing separately the Roth is basically not an option.

I will bow to TTE's greater expertise on this matter regarding the filing status.

However, if you are converting to H-1 or H-1B this year, you CAN file jointly with your wife and boht choose to be treated as resident resident aliens. This makes the ROTH IRA a possible option for 2007.