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Level 1

Solved

I am on L1 working in US since 1/1/2018. My wife on L2 does not work (no income) and does not have W2 or 1099G, should I be able to file as married filing jointly?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 6, 2019
1 reply
2 views

Trying to fill the tax return form for 2018 the first time in US. I am on L1 visa, and Wife and kids on L2. Wife does not work. ME and my Wife have SSN. I have w2 my wife does not. She also does not have unemployment form.

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Best answer by pk_

Since you have been here in the USA for all of 2018, you would be treated as a dual status taxpayer ( ditto for spouse because she is on a subservient visa). To file MFJ, you need to add a request that you wish to be treated as a resident for the whole of 2018 -- should not have any detrimental effect on you or your spouse. You prepare your return using TurboTax as a resident, print, date, sign( both of you ), include a note requesting to be treated as a resident for all of 2018 , and mail this in ( instead of e-file). That is all

hope this helps

Answer

Level 15

Since you have been here in the USA for all of 2018, you would be treated as a dual status taxpayer ( ditto for spouse because she is on a subservient visa). To file MFJ, you need to add a request that you wish to be treated as a resident for the whole of 2018 -- should not have any detrimental effect on you or your spouse. You prepare your return using TurboTax as a resident, print, date, sign( both of you ), include a note requesting to be treated as a resident for all of 2018 , and mail this in ( instead of e-file). That is all

hope this helps