Dual Status Returns - F1 to Green Card

[maqzi]

Hi,

I came to the US for the first time in Jan 2016 on an F-1 visa and got a green card approved in Nov 2019. To my understanding, because I was in the US for less than 5 years  (Exempt individuals under substantial presence test (F visa)) I was a non-resident till Nov 2019. After my approval, I'd be considered a resident for tax purposes and so need to file Dual Status Tax returns as per the IRS site.

Is this correct? How are the tax returns different (except that I file a 1040 with a 1040-NR as a statement) - am I missing something? or any other considerations/options I have?

I haven't been able find much information anywhere and if there's a service you're aware of that helps with this, it'd be amazing!

Don't know if this information matters but I'll be filing as a single person with no dependents and have a W-2 for during my non-resident period and 1099-Misc (contractor) during my residence period.

Any help is appreciated, thanks so much!

[LinaJ2020]

Yes, that is correct!  You were a nonresident until November 2019.  You will be filing dual-status.  As TurboTax does not support any nonresident tax forms, you are advised to contact Sprintax which is affiliated with TurboTax to help nonresident customers with their US tax returns.

There are a lot of distinctions and limitations in claiming different tax breaks between the two forms.  I am confident that Sprintax will assist you in completing your nonresident tax return with the help you need. To see the differences between Form 1040 and 1040-NR, here are the links:

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040nr.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf