[Perlix]

I'm a G4 visa holder and my husband is a US Citizen. We got married on April last year. Can we file our taxes jointly without making the 6013(g) election? I have a valid social security number and my income is tax-exempt. I read in this site that one tax expert said that he "recently learned that there IS a special election for G-4 visa holders who are married to U.S. citizens. Under that exemption, they CAN file a joint tax return, but they must submit a statement that states that they are claiming that election", but couldn't find more information about that statement. Any ideas?

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Yes, you CAN file jointly, but ONLY IF you do the 6013(g) election. I am the expert you referred to.

If you need professional help filing, please email me at the email address in my profile.

[Perlix]

Thanks ATE. I asked around and it seems a lot of my colleagues are in the same situation (they are G4 visa holders and spouses are US Citizens). However, most didn't know about this election and have been filing jointly for 20 years without a problem (in all the cases the G4 visa holder spouse has a valid social security number), only attaching an employment letter from the international organization stating that the G-4 visa spouse salary is tax exempt. We'll see what we do, as the 6013(g) election can only be made once in a lifetime and you can't just opt-out.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

That is true. Once you start, you are expected to keep filing jointly.