What is my filing status?

[gzunzun]

Hello everyone,

I am a US citizen currently living in the US; my spouse and child are not US citizens, nor are they living in the US. I don't have any other dependents, and my wife had no income during 2020. I am unsure as to what my filing status is. Thank you for your time!

[LinaJ2020 · Accepted solution]

You will be filing either Married Filing Joint or Married Filing Separately.  Filing jointly, however, might give you more benefit to maximize your total refund.  See Jointly vs Separately.

In your situation, it might be easier to file separately as filing jointly require your spouse to apply for an ITIN. 

You cannot e-file either.  However, you can still use the program to prepare the tax forms but will have to submit by mail.  

To file separately without the SSN or ITIN: 

• In the program, leave the SSN space blank
• After completing the return, print out the forms.  Write “NRA” in the spouse's SSN space. ( NRA stands for Nonresident Alien). Do not leave the space blank. 
• Submit all the forms and required documents to IRS based on the instructions on your print-out.