"Single" on 2021 Taxes

[Sammy.NZ 45]

Hi guys,

I'm having a mild panic attack because I just realized I filed my taxes as "Single" - We both live in NZ, married in January 2021 & I filed taxes early April 2021. No mal intent here, I just am still new to marriage and I usually have my dad help me file and he listed me as single (probably out of habit) and I didn't closely review. We married in NZ and both currently live and work here full time but I have continued to file my foreign earned income form every year. Is this going to be a big issue come time for NVC or our interview? Any advice on what I should do? The U.S. tax system is complex enough and even more complex when you add in the fact we are recently married and both earning foreign incomes, not sure what the requirements are here since he's not a U.S. citizen or if it's going to cause me issues in the future. Any insight appreciated !

 

Cheers

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Relax. You got married in 2021. You haven’t filed taxes yet for 2021- you filed for 2020. You are fine.

[ArtistKid 0]

I don't think it'll be a an issue.  Taxes can always be amended if there is an issue--but when the NVC is looking at your taxes they are primarily looking at your income and not your married status (you already proved that to USCIS).  This field is primarily for the IRS.  Also, my accountant said that my spouse needs to file an ITIN with the IRS.  Which means she will need to go into an IRS office to do all the paperworks.  He said "You can also first file a single return then amend the returns later after she got the green card and SSN.  This may be easier to do than applying for ITIN when she's not here in the US yet."

Edited July 19, 2021 by ArtistKid

[payxibka 10,045]

12 minutes ago, ArtistKid said:

I don't think it'll be a an issue.  Taxes can always be amended if there is an issue--but when the NVC is looking at your taxes they are primarily looking at your income and not your married status (you already proved that to USCIS).  This field is primarily for the IRS.  Also, my accountant said that my spouse needs to file an ITIN with the IRS.  Which means she will need to go into an IRS office to do all the paperworks.  He said "You can also first file a single return then amend the returns later after she got the green card and SSN.  This may be easier to do than applying for ITIN when she's not here in the US yet."

OP filed correctly 

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Tax & Finances During US Immigration forum.

[nastra30 2,288]

Op, in 2020 you were single so you actually file your taxes correctly in 2021. Come 2022 when you file your 2021 taxes, file as married.