f1 filling tax returns for federal and PA state, also claiming for 1098-T

[erarolam]

Good morning TurboTax community, I am currently an F1 married with F2 and two minor children dependents F2 too. We all came here in June 2015 and stayed in PA since there. I entered with B1/B2 visa and I was granted with F1 since last June 2017. I do believe I am considered as "resident" for tax purposes. Not sure 100% if a I have to use TurboTax or SprinTax yet. Beside this, I do have also another questions: 1- Should I fill my tax return as joint married filling jointly or separately?, 2- Should I claim something fro my two minor children?, 3- How should I fill the PA tax return?, and 4- I payed tuition last year, could I claim something with my 1098-T for issued by the university?  Thanks in advance for your valuable help. Sincerely. Raul Roman. Phone [phone number removed]

[pk]

@erarolam , without going into details and using the assumption that you were allowed 5 years of  "exempt" status from entry as F-1 ( 2017 ), you are  Resident for Tax purposes  ( exempt status ended  Dec 2021  ).  Thus  you file using form 1040, can use Turbo Tax to prepare and file, and yes all the  benefits to US person ( citizen/GreenCard/ Resident for Tax purposes ) apply.  Thus yes to all your questions.  Also this means that  dependent visa ( F-2  ) is also a resident.   You each must have a Tax Id  ( SSN or ITIN ).

Is there more I can do for you ?

[erarolam]

Thanks for the answer. I got my SSN because I am doing OPT as F1, however I did not know that my wife and two minor children were able to get SSN or ITIN numbers, if that is possible, how and which form should I use to get those for them? I know to e-file my tax return was asking for those but I did not have them. Finally, if I filled my tax return incorrectly, would it be possible to make some corrections? If so, what should I do? Thanks again for your support on this matter, I really appreciate it.

[pk]

@erarolam , ITIN is issued by IRS and  ONLY for purposes of filing a return.

For this , you prepare  your return ( using TubroTax ), include your spouse  by using a dummy SSN -- I often use  my own SSN and replace the last four digits with 5000 ---- this is only to satisfy  TurboTax software.   Ditto for the kids.

Once the return is all done, choose  file by mail.  TurboTax will now allow printing for filing.  Thereafter, erase the  "dummy " SSNs, with   "  N  R  A  " ( write in ).   You both Sign and Date the return.

Now go to IRS website  and download the   W-7 forms ( you will need one for  each person for whom you need ITIN) and instruction for the form.   Fill out these W-7s,  attach all supporting documents  that are asked for , sign & date.

Send the whole package ( Return and W-7) by mail as per instruction .  This will take a little while to process but generally should result in  retroactive issuance of the ITINs.

Hope this helsp