Crazy Cat

The FBAR and foreign income exclusion were already mentioned earlier in this thread. They are just a couple reasons I recommend new immigrants consult a competent tax pro for the first year minimum.

Absolutely. Many people inside the US do that.

I-485s cannot be filed online.

That is inaccurate. We set wife's passport appointment immediately after receiving the oath notice. There were no issues at all. There is no requirement to be a US citizen prior to setting the appointment.

Same here. The year my wife arrived, she filed as a dual status alien as she had significant income prior to arriving in the US. Our accountant showed us the best strategy for our particular situation.

Yes, I-130s can be done online. Yes, it could take close to 2 years.

Good point. Agree. I always recommend that, too. Dual status aliens, Foreign income exclusions, FBAR, foreign asset reporting, etc, can get involved. Wife and I have been using a pro in Dallas to do our taxes every year since she arrived in 2017. I have peace of mind knowing EVERYTHING has been reported correctly. Note: The FBAR is submitted to the Department of the Treasury....not the IRS...I had no idea at the time.

Yes. He, as a non-resident alien, can file a joint return if he wants to be treated as a resident alien for tax purposes for the entire year. I would just E-file as MFJ. The IRS says ".... nonresidents married to U.S. citizens or residents can choose to be treated as U.S. residents and file joint returns. " Unless the 1040 changed for 2024, it doesn't even ask about resident status if filing a joint return.

***Moved to the Philippines regional forum for country specific questions***

That would not be a problem. People change PO Boxes (mailing address) sometimes.

I don't think anyone implied that. I said a SSN allows E-filing. As stated in one of my posts above, if he does not have a Green Card, and he does not pass the substantial presence test, he is a non-resident alien. Nonresident aliens | Internal Revenue Service "An alien is any individual who is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. national. A nonresident alien is an alien who has not passed the green card test or the substantial presence test. " In addition, in order to file a joint return, he must be treated as a resident alien. Nonresident — Figuring your tax | Internal Revenue Service "Generally, you cannot file as married filing jointly if either spouse was a nonresident of the U.S. at any time during the tax year."However, nonresidents married to U.S. citizens or residents can choose to be treated as U.S. residents and file joint returns.

Weird. Thanks. Didn't see that...LOL.

I hope you aren't planning to leave VJ. Your rock-solid, reliable information is vital to our community..

Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!! This is BIG!!!!!!! I've been with you the entire journey!!!!!! I am so happy for you!!!!!

Because they are individual cases, each case will have fees. I sincerely hope they can get all these issues worked out.

1. They cannot be added. Each child is a separate and complete case like husband. 2. There is a good chance they can be expedited . To repeat: She needs to: 1. Stop the progress of husband case at NVC (don't pay fees or submit documents). 2. Immediately submit I-130s for children (separate I-130 for each one). 3. Request expedited cases for children from USCIS. 4. When children cases get to NVC, proceed with all cases (children and husband) and request they be linked and interviewed together. There is no other way at this point.

Just to be perfectly clear: Since Friend is a US citizen, they will ALL be separate cases requiring separate I-130s....as there are no derivatives for immediate relatives of US citizens. She needs to: 1. Stop the progress of husband case at NVC (don't pay fees or submit documents). 2. Immediately submit I-130s for children (separate I-130 for each one). 3. Request expedited cases for children from USCIS. 4. When children cases get to NVC, proceed with all cases and request they be linked and interviewed together.

US tax form incomes must be listed in USD. The IRS publishes an annual average exchange/conversion rate document. Yearly average currency exchange rates | Internal Revenue Service

Not by definition. He would not pass the Green Card test or the substantial presence test. Nonresident aliens | Internal Revenue Service "An alien is any individual who is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. national. A nonresident alien is an alien who has not passed the green card test or the substantial presence test. " However, since they are filing a joint return, he will be treated as a resident alien. I'm not sure why they even require a letter if filing a joint return since a joint return requires both spouses to report full year income.

If he has a SSN, you are fine to E-file jointly. If you file MFJ, he MUST be treated as a tax resident for the full calendar year. I would just file a normal electronic return.....but you must report entire year, world-wide income for both spouses even though you were married in December.

Pam Bondi is a champ! She wiped the floor with Schiff.

***Duplicate thread removed***

Exactly! I included a request for a combo interview with wife's N-400. Two days before her N-400 interview, I received an email from the local office informing me to be there for a combo interview.

Come prepared for a combo interview. That means bring spouse and all I-751 evidence.

Dual Nationality U.S. nationals, including U.S. dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. U.S. dual nationals may also be required by the country of their foreign nationality to use that country’s passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport to travel to or from a country other than the United States is not inconsistent with U.S. law.