Hi there,

I'm a U.S. citizen who has not lived permanently in the U.S. since the age of 4. I have only just found out that in order to sponsor my UK daughter for a visa, I need to file at least 3 years' worth of tax returns to IRS.

I've found everything I've read so confusing. My spouse is a UK citizen and obv. Non resident alien. Does she have to file tax returns also? Do we have to do it together? She doesn't have a SSN and I'm not even sure if she could have one.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you, Vince.

A U.S. citizen or resident must file tax return if your total worldwide income exceeds the filing requirement. On your return, you must report your world wide income. If you paid taxes in the foreign country, you will claim credit for taxes paid in the foreign country by filing Form 1116 or can file form 2555 Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. Even if you have a filing requirement, the chances are you will not pay any U.S. tax or pay very little U.S. tax.
Another filing requirement is Form TD F 90-22.1. Your U.S. Tax Return: U.S. Citizen or Resident with Foreign Income

You can file joint return with your nonresident spouse. If you are filing separate return, your nonresident spouse does not file tax return.