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Filing Status: Married Filing Jointly vs Separately

Good day, TurboTax Community. While https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/marriage/should-you-and-your-spouse-file-taxes-jointly-or-separ... provides commendable insight to the pros/cons of a married couple Filing Jointly vs Separately, receiving no intelligible guidance during a phone call with the IRS, I am hopeful a viewing tax expert may advise which status is most appropriate for my current - and future - married realities:

 

In February 2024, I married a foreign national. My spouse does not reside in the U.S. and will not be granted a long-term visa for at least two years. Understandably, all income earned by my spouse during 2024 and 2025 originates from outside the U.S. (FYI: My spouse's income is informal  - a monthly stipend as a family caretaker - that is not reported in her native country.) My spouse's income does not meet the Filing Threshold for any U.S. Filing Status. My spouse does not have a SSN or ITIN...and will likely never qualify for either after moving to the U.S. due to (1) not working outside the home or (2) informally earning very low individual income annually.

 

In mid-2026, we are optimistic that my spouse will be granted a long-term visa to reside with me in the U.S. Each year in the U.S., my spouse will continue not meeting the Filing Threshold for any U.S. Filing Status.

 

Questions:

 

1. Which Filing Status should I/we employ in 2024 (and 2025) while my spouse does not reside in the U.S., employed informally in her native country, and does not earn sufficient income to meet the Filing Threshold for any U.S. Filing Status?

 

2. When my spouse is approved to reside in the U.S., but continues not earning sufficient individual income meeting the Filing Threshold for any U.S. Filing Status, which Filing Status should I/we use in 2026 and beyond?

 

Thank you for your interest and guidance.