IRS Tax nightmare!

[Adam_747 6]

Hello all,

Here is the situation;

-Arrived on a K1 May, 2012

-Obtained I-765 on Sept 15, 2012

-Started working in the US on Otcober 1, 2012

-Obtained GC on December 10, 2012

Want to file jointly for 2012 but I have a daul status for 2012. For the period of Jan-May 2012, I was not in the US and I paid already those taxes. Anyone in a similar situation? How were you able to file jointly with a dual status?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Hello all,

Here is the situation;

-Arrived on a K1 May, 2012

-Obtained I-765 on Sept 15, 2012

-Started working in the US on Otcober 1, 2012

-Obtained GC on December 10, 2012

Want to file jointly for 2012 but I have a daul status for 2012. For the period of Jan-May 2012, I was not in the US and I paid already those taxes. Anyone in a similar situation? How were you able to file jointly with a dual status?

Have you read through this?

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Taxation-of-Dual-Status-Aliens

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You are permitted to file jointly, if you decide to be treated as a US Resident for the entire year. You will be taxed on your worldwide income.

[Adam_747 6]

What if I don't want to be taxed on my worldwide income - I already paid the taxes for the months prior to entering the US?

You are permitted to file jointly, if you decide to be treated as a US Resident for the entire year. You will be taxed on your worldwide income.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

What if I don't want to be taxed on my worldwide income - I already paid the taxes for the months prior to entering the US?

Seeing as you are not from a third world country, I can appreciate that. You can exclude the first $90,000 plus of foreign income, and I think there are certain credits or exemptions for taxes paid to certain governments, etc.

You may want to fill the forms out the various ways, and see what gives you the better deal.

I bet if you post a similar question in the EU forum, you might get a better answer.

[HikerMark 5]

You have to run the calculations for the at least three different scenarios that apply in your case. The default married filing separately/dual status, married filing joint with no foreign earned income exemption and married filing joint with foreign earned income exemption.

Which one works best will depend on your personal circumstances. You have to run the numbers to see which one is best.

[X Factor 1,110]

You have to run the calculations for the at least three different scenarios that apply in your case. The default married filing separately/dual status, married filing joint with no foreign earned income exemption and married filing joint with foreign earned income exemption.

Which one works best will depend on your personal circumstances. You have to run the numbers to see which one is best.

Yes run the different scearios. I tried married filing jointly with the exclusion of my wife's foreign income. Then I tried being taxed on world wide income with the tax credit paid in foreign country. For our situation it was better to take the exclusion of foreign income by over $123. When I did married filing seperately the tax refund was reduced by around $1600.

Edited March 4, 2013 by Mr Smiley

[Adam_747 6]

Thanks all for your answers. Good tip to run all three versions and see which one offers the best deal.

[X Factor 1,110]

Thanks all for your answers. Good tip to run all three versions and see which one offers the best deal.

You are welcome. If you are familiar with taxes you can go to H & R block online and try the different scenarios. You won't have to pay for trying it out. But you will have to sign up with user name and password.