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    ctwiste's Avatar
    ctwiste Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 27, 2012, 11:05 AM
    Married but filing as 'single' if your spouse lives outside the US?
    My spouse lives in Puerto Rico and I live in the states. She has no 'US based income' and does not pay federal income tax, I have no PR based income. Can I filed as single?
    MukatA's Avatar
    MukatA Posts: 7,110, Reputation: 176
    Tax Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jan 27, 2012, 11:28 AM
    No you can not file as Single. You must file as married filing separately or married filing jointly.
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
    Senior Tax Expert
    		  
    #3

    Jan 29, 2012, 12:32 AM
    You WANT to file jointly, and it does not MATTER where your wife is located. She can be on Mars for all the IRS cares.

    By filing jointly, you get a JOINT standard deduction of $11,600 and TWO personal exemptions of $7,400 ($3,700 each).

    Since she lives in a U.S. protectorate, I asusme she has a SSN, so filing jointly should not be too complicated.

    If you want my professional help, double-click on my title above and then scroll down to my profile/signature, where you will find my email address.
    FihAbe's Avatar
    FihAbe Posts: 9, Reputation: 0
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    #4

    Jan 29, 2012, 03:45 PM
    You have to file MFS not Single, If you are married you only have two filling status MFJ or MFS unless you care for the children and been separated from your spouse for more than six months then you can use HOH.
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