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Level 2
June 5, 2019
Solved

Married separately or jointly?

  • June 5, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 6 views

I came to US from China on August 2012 as an F-1 student. Now more than 5 years has passed, I think I become resident alien in 2017. My wife came to live with me in 2014 as a F-2 spouse, then her visa changed to F-1 in 2017 since she went to a graduate college herself. She doesn't have a scholarship or support from the school. But we did buy a house together and rented it in 2017 while she still doesn't have a SSN or ITIN number (will apply this year). So, should we fill jointly or separately? Is the rental income counted as hers or mine or we both have half? Thank you.

Best answer by gtaffo

You may file as Married filing Jointly. 

You will complete form W7 to applfy for ITIN number for your spouse( Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf)).

The rental income will be for both of you as you are filing MFJ and should be reported on schedule SE.

See answer to the FAQ on where to inter your rental income and related expenses in TurboTax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3288530


1 reply

gtaffoAnswer
Level 6
June 5, 2019

You may file as Married filing Jointly. 

You will complete form W7 to applfy for ITIN number for your spouse( Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf)).

The rental income will be for both of you as you are filing MFJ and should be reported on schedule SE.

See answer to the FAQ on where to inter your rental income and related expenses in TurboTax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3288530


haoren1stAuthor
Level 2
June 5, 2019
Thank you so much for the quick answer!