complicated tax situation.
I am nonresident alien working on valid work visa in US. I got married in november 2021. My wife has never been in US and does not have ITIN or SSN. I would prefer to file jointly as it makes me eligible for a big refund both from federal and state. Wife will physically enter US first time in may. I have done my research and left with 2 options.
1. File as single now (i will have to pay additional tax due) . later when wife is here in May i can file amended tax return as MFJ status by mail, along with Form W-7 of wife, and include a written statement signed by both of us, declaring that she was a nonresident alien and i am a U.S. citizen/resident alien for the purpose of tax filing (since i spent >90% of my days here in US in year 2021) , and that she chooses to be treated as U.S. resident for the entire tax year. Hopefully if this works i will be eligible to get refund and may be even the money i have to pay now as single filing status.
2. File for an extension and pay due taxes now and later when wife comes here in may i can file my taxes as MFJ and hopefully get back the money i paid at the time of extension and due refund. follow up question on this is A. do i file for extension electronically as single. B. filing for extension with mail as MFJ and write ITIN pending in the box of spouse SSN/ITIN.
Sorry for long post. hope i explained my situation correctly. let me know if there is any better option. Thank you.
