LinaJ2020
Expert Alumni

Get your taxes done using TurboTax

You will be considered as US resident in 2020 for tax purposes.  You will use the Look-Back rule for J-visa holder.  Since you were a nonresident ( exempt ) for more than two years out of the past six years ( 2014-2019), you are a resident in 2020.  

 

Since you are a resident, you can file jointly return with your nonresident wife.  You can also file an ITIN for your wife. This also explains why Sprintax advised you to file as a resident.  

 

To see a similar discussion of  look back rule, click here: Look back rule

 

 

To prepare your tax return in the program, here are the steps: 

  • In the program, as you enter the information, leave the SSN space blank
  • After entering all your information, print out returns and required forms ( write APPLIED in the spouse's space) 
  • As TurboTax does not support the Form W-7, fill out the forms by following
  •  https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/General-ITIN-Information and attach to other required  documentation
  • Submit both the Form W-7 and your tax forms to IRS Austin location in Texas.  ( see Form W-7 instructions)

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