Thanks ErnieS0 !
Understood, since my spouse doesn't have a SSN so I can only file married filling separately but that makes sense since she only visits U.S. for vacation every year and has no U.S. income.
Another curious follow-up question - You mentioned "choose to file 'married filling jointly", but is there a California state law requiring one has to file as 'married filling jointly' if one meets certain criteria ?
