Dual-status alien

[ayestaci 121]

Hey everyone!

 

I have a couple of questions.

 

I moved to the USA in July 2020 on my CR-1 visa and need to file taxes as a dual-status alien (we can't do married filing jointly, as it would affect other payments my husband has).

 

I have two questions:

 

1) Can I claim the $1800 rebate as I only became a resident in July?

 

2) Does anyone have tax preparer recommendations in Georgia or virtually that has done this?! I used a certified accountant who said he had experience in this and he messed it up twice before I had to tell him to stop. 

 

I am also wondering if it's worth me using TurboTax to prepare the July-December portion and then just write out a form 1040nr on my own and write dual status alien across the top, because I'm so exhausted dealing with this already, but I know it can get a bit complex and is worth using a professional who actually knows what they're doing.

 

Thanks everyone. Anyone who has experience and can chip in would be awesome. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

@ayestaci

 

if you have a greencard, you can be a resident alien for the entire year if it makes your tax return more favourable. Your husband should try various ways to see what is best.  Married filing separately has some drawbacks.

[ayestaci 121]

1 minute ago, Wuozopo said:

@ayestaci

 

if you have a greencard, you can be a resident alien for the entire year if it makes your tax return more favourable. Your husband should try various ways to see what is best.  Married filing separately has some drawbacks.

We've already explored that, but with other financial stuff he has going on, it's just not feasible for us to do jointly this year, sadly. Better to keep our stuff separate for now.