Recently married, wife lives overseas and has no legal status in America

[reforgedsteel]

My wife and I got married in the spring of 2025, and we're now running into some extreme confusion. 

She is not and has not ever been a resident of the United States. I am currently a student finishing off my master's degree, so I don't have much income this year. Her income, however, is entirely overseas and she has not been physically present in the US at all this past year.

What status do I use to file?

Do I need to file taxes for her? 

If we file jointly, do I not get the foreign earned income tax exemption because /I/ have been present in the US for the entire year? 

Thanks in advance!

[CesarJ]

Since your spouse isn't considered a US person for income tax purposes—neither meeting the substantial presence test nor the green card test—she isn't required to file a US tax return.

You have the choice to file your income tax return using the "Married Filing Separately" status. However, if you choose this option, you won't be able to file electronically; you must mail the return to the IRS and write "NRA" in the space designated for your spouse's Social Security number.

[reforgedsteel]

Thank you Cesar, but how do I file by mail? Do I still fill out the form via TurboTax or something?

[DaveF1006]

Once your return is complete, you will choose file by mail once you begin to file your return. When you pick this option, TurboTax will prompt you to print your return. Once your return is printed, there will be a printed page in your return with complete mailing and filing instructions, which includes the mailing address where to send your return.