Hi, my name is Ivanjull and I would like to get clear about the type of tax to be filed this 2011, if I and my family changed visas this past 2011. Now we have a G4 visa (non-residents) in US.

I came into USA in 1999 as a tourist and overstaid. All these years I filled my taxes with ITIN number from 1999 to 2010. In 2006 I got married and filed my taxes together with my wife (with SSN) and son (with SSN-UScitizen).
My wife came into USA in 2005 as a student with F1 visa. In 2008 she changed her status to H1-B visa and then this past June 2011 she changed her status to G4 visa working for an International Organization. I also got a G4 visa this September 2011.

My wife worked with tax witholding from January to May,and she received a W2 form, then worked with a non-taxable income in this international company. I just worked for some months at the beginning of the year, and received a 1099 Form(cash).

Now, my question is the following: For this Tax season 2011,should we file taxes with 1040 form as married filing jointly as usual? Including the w2, and 1099 forms? Or should we file a non-resident tax 1040NR? Thank you very much helping us clarifying, any guide or suggestion would be appreciated.

In my opinion, filing jointly is NOT an option.

You both need to file dual-status returns, filing BOTH Forms 1040 as a dual-status statement and Form 1040NR as the controlling document.

You will also file Schedules C and SE for the 1099 income. You can claim your child and (I believe) be allowed to claim the $1,000 Child Tax Credit.

This is ALL off the top of my head without doing ANY research. I would need to be compensated to do the extensive research needed to determine the BEST way to file.

If you want my professional help, double-click on my title above and scroll down to my profile/signature. You will find my email address and websites there.