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    mahenck's Avatar
    mahenck Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Dec 20, 2008, 01:17 AM
    Is it necessary to have bank account opened for joint tax filing
    Hi
    I came to USA in feb 2008 on H1B, My wife and kid came on H4. My wife got her H1B in October this year.she is still looking for a project, Until now she has't received any pay cheque from her employer, She got her SSN in October, but she doesn't have bank account yet. We will be filing the tax togther,
    Is it mandetory that she has to have bank account opened here in USA ?

    Thanks in advance
    Chandra
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
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    #2

    Dec 20, 2008, 08:16 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by mahenck View Post
    Hi
    She got her SSN in october, but she doesn't have bank account yet. We will be filing the tax togther,
    Is it mandetory that she has to have bank account opened here in USA ?

    Thanks in advance
    Chandra
    No - there is no need for your wife to have her own banking account, at least as far as the IRS and your filing status is concerned. However, while the IRS doesn't care about it, it would be advantageous for her to either have her own or have a joint account with you, just in case. Suppose you were in an accident, or otherwise were unable to write checks - how would she handle the family finances?
    MukatA's Avatar
    MukatA Posts: 7,110, Reputation: 176
    Tax Expert
    		  
    #3

    Dec 21, 2008, 03:59 AM

    You can file joint return as residents, and do not need joint bank account. You must both declare your world wide income for 2008.
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
    Senior Tax Expert
    		  
    #4

    Dec 23, 2008, 05:31 AM
    Agree with both ebaines' and MukatA's posts.

    For direct deposit, the account must have one or the other's joint filers' name on the account, or the bank will reject the direct deposit. However, ebaines' points about the joint account are well taken.

    BOTTOM LINE: Unless you do not trust your wife to have direct access to your money (in which case, then WHY are you married?), open a joint account.
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