I am married Indian citizen.I joined a PhD program in Aug-2018, my wife is still in India. What should I choose for marital status & Tax filing status?

[iqbaltr]

I was told that my tax filing status would be single, but when I choose married in TurboTax my filing status is also married filling separately/jointly. Kindly help me figure this out. Thank you 🙂

[DoninGA]

Do you have US resident alien status?

[iqbaltr]

I am on F-1 Visa (issued in 2018) so  alien status, I guess.

[iqbaltr]

"I was told (By university HR Office) that my tax filing status would be single?" Do I just over write this information?

[Opus 17]

You can’t use TurboTax for a nonresident return.  

You can’t file as single if you are legally married.  The advice was wrong.  

Once you start over in an appropriate tax program that can prepare a 1040-NR, select that you are married.  You will need to enter the name of your spouse and select either married filing jointly or married filing separately.  Joint filing may subject your spouse’s income to US taxation so you probably don’t want to do that.  Complete your return.  You may not be able to e-file since your spouse does not have a US tax ID number, in which case print, sign, and mail it.  

But you can’t use TurboTax.  

[Opus 17]

You must file as married if you are married.  You will probably want to file as "married filing separately" so you only list your own income.  However, if you have been an F-1 less than 5 years, you are considered a non-resident alien, and must file a form 1040-NR.  This form is not supported by Turbotax, and the experts here don't know much about NR tax issues.  Turbotax partners with Sprintax for NR returns, or you can find any other company that handles 1040-NR.  Your school's ISO may be able to help you.