is it really a must to file a tax jointly?

[miss_jane 0]

Hi everyone, just wanna need some advice if what is the best thing to do when filing a tax?Is it advisable to file jointly? My husband filed for bankruptcy last year and i told him that we are going to file a tax jointly that way i can use it as a proof of our marriage when i will be having my ROC next year.He said that we should have to file a tax individually because i might be affected as well since he filed for bankruptcy.Which is which mga fellow members? File a tax jointly or not?What are the advantages when you file jointly?Is it really a must that when we do ROC we should also have to send docs.to USCIS like joint tax return?Need some clarrification on this matter pls..

Edited April 8, 2010 by miss_jane

[TracyTN 237]

No - there's no requirement for that. File either married filing jointly or married filing separately - whichever benefits you the most financially.

Edited to add - its a good idea to send proof of their tax filings (usually via IRS tax transcript) in with your ROC application, but the filing status itself doesn't really matter so long as it's under one of the 'married' categories. I think USCIS understands that one option or the other can help taxpayers out a bit.

Edited April 8, 2010 by TracyTN

[miss_jane 0]

No - there's no requirement for that. File either married filing jointly or married filing separately - whichever benefits you the most financially.

Thank you so much for the quick response i really do appreciate that.

[v333k 59]

No - there's no requirement for that. File either married filing jointly or married filing separately - whichever benefits you the most financially.

Edited to add - its a good idea to send proof of their tax filings (usually via IRS tax transcript) in with your ROC application, but the filing status itself doesn't really matter so long as it's under one of the 'married' categories. I think USCIS understands that one option or the other can help taxpayers out a bit.

Also - this goes without saying, but the address needs to be the same if filing separate

[TracyTN 237]

Well yeah - I just ASSumed as much.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You don't have to file jointly. For most couples it simply makes sense as the tax burden might be distributed more equally.

For example, if partner A made $50,000, and partner B made 18,000, it's better to file as married with an income of $68,000, than filing separately.

If you have a good reason not to file jointly, file separately as "married." However, although I'm not a tax professional, I think filing for bankcruptcy is a good reason to file alone. It really depends on the income of either one of you, first and foremost. Check with a tax professional.

[Scott and Mhay 57]

I would try both ways in turbotax or similar software and see which benefits you more (gives a bigger refund)

[miss_jane 0]

I would try both ways in turbotax or similar software and see which benefits you more (gives a bigger refund)

Thanks guys...we're just gonna file a tax separately as i don't want to be affected of the bankruptsy of my husband.Thanks anyways for all the responses.