You can either file married filing jointly or married filing separately. Filing married filing separately is the easiest solution. Married filing jointly may be more beneficial.
As you are a resident alien for the entire year, there is one option to file as married filing jointly. It is to have the nonresident spouse treated as a resident by filing an election with your return. However, it would mean that both of you have to declare your worldwide incomes on your joint 2017 income tax return. The election is a 6013 g election. If you do not choose to make this election, you will need to file married filing separately.
You would need to prepare forms W-7 requesting an ITINs for your wife and children and you would need to attach the W-7s to your federal return before mailing. Please see this link for more information on ITINs
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/how-do-i-apply-for-an-itin
Please see attached link for IRS publication 519, page 9 for information on this election. Publication 519 US Tax Guide for Aliens You would need to prepare your return in TurboTax and then print your return and manually create the page for the election and attach it to your return before mailing.
How To Make the Choice
Attach a statement, signed by both spouses, to
your joint return for the first tax year for which
the choice applies. It should contain the follow-
ing information.
A declaration that one spouse was a non-
resident alien and the other spouse a U.S.
citizen or resident alien on the last day of
your tax year, and that you choose to be
treated as U.S. residents for the entire tax
year.
The name, address, and identification
number of each spouse.
[Edit 03.25.20 | 8:04 am]
