Yes, you can file a married filing jointly tax return for 2018 if you both elect to file jointly and both will need to declare your worldwide income. Your wife will need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) which is applied for with your tax return on Form W-7. She will need to provide her original documents (such as passport ) to apply for the ITIN. You will need to file your return by mail and cannot e-file.
If you do not elect to file a joint return, then you must file a dual status return as married filing separately.
If you do want to file married filing jointly,
- enter a
dummy SSN in
TurboTax and print a paper copy of your tax return (white out the dummy
SSN) and write "applied for" next to the space for her SSN.
- under the
file tab, you
will need to select "file by mail" and print a copy of your
federal income tax return.
- attach a
statement,
signed by both spouses, to your joint return for the first tax year for
which the choice applies (Nonresident Spouse Treated as
a Resident).
It should contain the following 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. See page 8 of Publication 519
- apply for
NRA spouse’s Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) using Form W-7 (Click ITIN). (You will need to apply
for a ITIN if filing married filing separately and taking an exemption for
NRA spouse and that NRA spouse does not have a SSN. (see option 3 below))
- attach a
copy of your Form W-7 (along with the necessary supporting documents) to your tax
return (For the supporting documents, one option is for your NRA spouse to
get a certified copy of his/her passport which will need to be
included with your tax return filing.) Click here for IRS
website ITIN - Frequently Asked
Questions .
- mail your
tax return along
with your declaration statement, Form W-7 and supporting documents to
the IRS. According to the IRS, because you are filing your tax return as
an attachment to your (ITIN) application, you should not
mail your return to the address listed in the Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ
instructions. Instead, send your return, Form W-7 and proof of identity
and foreign status documents to:
Internal Revenue Service
Austin Service Center
ITIN Operation
P.O. Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342
You may also apply for an ITIN using the services of an
IRS-authorized Acceptance Agent or visit some key IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in lieu of mailing your
information to the IRS in Austin.
- State filing - You will want to file an
extension for your state until you receive your ITIN. This is because the
application for your ITIN is a federal filing. Most state will not process
your return without either a SSN or an ITIN. (However some states will
accept state filings with W-7 attachments. Please contact your state for
more information using the State Department of Revenue
Contacts and
ask if your state will accept a state tax return with a Form W-7
attached).
You will not be able to e-file your state return since you are not
e-filing your federal return.
Because many states give an automatic extension when you file the
federal extension Form 4868, just file a federal
extension even if you don't think you will need it for your federal tax
return. But check with your state's Department of Revenue to
make sure that your state doesn't have a separate state extension filing.
