Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Taxes (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=320)
-   -   H1-B married but spouse not in US (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=195050)

  • Mar 15, 2008, 08:09 PM
    mm17
    H1-B married but spouse not in US
    Hello,
    I got married in October 2007, but my wife is still living in my home country (She is not a US citizen). She has not been to the US throughout the whole of the year 2007 at all. I have been in the US on H1-B since 2005. Should I be filing my taxes for 2007 as "Single" or as "Married"? And if I file as Married, should I be filing as "Married filing separately" or "Married filing jointly"?
    All advice is greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!
  • May 1, 2008, 01:16 PM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    You can file jointly with your wife and you both CHOSE to be treated as resident aliens. This will allow you to claim the $10,700 joint standard deduction plus two $3,400 personal exemption (for yourself and your wife).

    The downside is that you must declare ALL 2007 world-wide income. There are two offsets available, by either claiming a Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) or a Foreign Income Exclusion (Form 2555).

    Even with the downside, this is probably the best way for you to file.

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:29 AM.