@pk Thank you so much for the insights!
One last bit still confuses me - If I make the first year choice:
a) am I considered dual status alien (non-resident Jan-Oct) and resident (Nov-December)?
b) am I considered resident alien for the whole year? In this case do I have to pay taxes to the US for my income when I was working in a different country (Jan-Sept) - although I paid my taxes in that country?
c) am I eligible for the stimulus check in both cases a) and b) or only if b) applies?
2. once you choose the resident for tax purposes status, you are not dual status anymore -- unless you make the first year choice you would be a Non-Resident Alien for the year 2019 and thus file your return on form 1040-NR or 1040-NR/EZ.
My understanding from the IRS website is that If I make first year choice I will be a dual status alien given that my "resident alien status" for 2019 begins on November 1st, so I am automatically non-resident for the rest of the year? Please help me understand this.
Thank you so much!
