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    Lindts's Avatar
    Lindts Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Mar 8, 2009, 04:43 PM
    Married filing jointly with wife as NRA and does not live with him for whole year
    My friend is a US citizen got married on Nov 2007 in his native country. His wife came to US as permanent resident in March 2009, and she might be able to get her SSN in two weeks time. What will be the effect on his 2008 Income tax return? Can he file married filing jointly or married filing separately since wife was a non-resident alien in 2008? Can she also get her stimulus payment? What other things I need to know in preparing for his 2008 income tax return?

    Please help... many thanks!
    MukatA's Avatar
    MukatA Posts: 7,110, Reputation: 176
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    #2

    Mar 8, 2009, 11:59 PM

    Yes, he can file joint return as residents for 2008. Both must declare worldwide income for 2008. Read Your U.S. Tax Return: Filing Status for Married
    Five Rings's Avatar
    Five Rings Posts: 459, Reputation: 7
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    #3

    Mar 9, 2009, 10:08 AM

    In 2007 your friend was considered married. Even though his wife was a nonresident alien at that time he may claim an exemption for her as long as she had no US sourced income. Go back and do a 1040X (amended return) and claim that exemption!

    Same thing for 2008. Wait for the SS number to come in.
    Lindts's Avatar
    Lindts Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Mar 10, 2009, 03:48 PM
    Mukata, thanks so much! This information was helpful! :)


    Quote Originally Posted by MukatA View Post
    Yes, he can file joint return as residents for 2008. Both must declare worldwide income for 2008. Read Your U.S. Tax Return: Filing Status for Married
    Lindts's Avatar
    Lindts Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Mar 10, 2009, 03:52 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Five Rings View Post
    In 2007 your friend was considered married. Even though his wife was a nonresident alien at that time he may claim an exemption for her as long as she had no US sourced income. Go back and do a 1040X (amended return) and claim that exemption!

    Same thing for 2008. Wait for the SS number to come in.
    Thanks, Five Rings! Will do what you say! :)
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
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    #6

    May 1, 2009, 12:20 PM
    If you have not yet amended the 2007 return, your friend should file JOINTLY with his wife for 2007, as his marital status at the end of the year counts for the entire year.
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