If I got married in a foreign country but my wife isn't here yet, but on her visa application I put married, do i file as married or single?

[asadali1001]

My wife is Pakistani and I went in Sept 2016 and got married, but we're going through the visa process where I entered married on the form. Do I file as married or single for this 2016 tax return app?

[pk]

asadali1001, congratulations.

Visa application status is correct in that she is married.

You have the option of filing Married Filing Joint (  she will need an ITIN, even if she is not in the country ) or Married Filing Separate -- ideally you need ITIN but if you paperfile you can write NRA in place of the ITIN/SSN

we can be more specific if you tell us your own citizenship  and immigartion status plus number of days you have been in the USA in the last three years ( 2016, 2015, 2014 ).  There are quite a few ands/ifs and buts so we need details

[asadali1001]

I'm a US citizen born and raised. I went to Pakistan in Sept 2016 got married and then came back. Now I'm applying for her to come here. I just the application in Dec 2106 and the case was received and is in process and all I have is the LIN# which is basically the case number I don't have a SSN or ITIN. So what is the best option?

[pk]

If your spouse has no income in Pakistan and essentially you are taking care of her financially, you can file  married filing Sep and claim her for purposes of exemption  -- you will need an ITIN for her  ( you will need her docs here though for that ) OR if she is going to here under visa by April 15th. or  ( by October 15th, you with an extension ) you can file Married Filing Joint -- a paper return is advised because you will have to attach the W-7 -- application for ITIN.  Of course  because you are a citizen, and she comes in as a resident / citizen she would have SSN, then again it may be worthwhile to take an extension and file with SSNs.  Insha Allah