Can I file a joint-return on my first year?
Hello community!
I arrived in the USA at the beginning of 2023 with my wife (from Canada) and were therefore non-residents at the beginning of the year, but both residents at the end of the year (L visa, with presence test, both of us have SSN).
Can I use FreeTaxUSA to do a joint return in this case or must do dual-status return without FreeTaxUSA then (1040-NR not supported)?
Based on publication 519, there's a paragraph regarding "Choosing Resident Alien Status" which requires that my wife and I both write a statement to apply to be considered a US resident for the entire year and be able to make a joint return. Just want confirmation that I understood everything and no other implications.
Thanks for your help!
Answers
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Hello,
We are missing some information. Did you have earned income from Canada? If you did, then you cannot use FreeTaxUSA even if you can file a Form 1040, since we do not support reporting Foreign Earned Income on a Form 1040.
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Thanks for your reply!
Yes I did have a Canadian income for Jan-Feb.
With FreeTaxUSA, can I print at the end instead of eFile and then add the missing forms myself before mailing out the package? It's what I was planning to do since I also need to request an ITIN for my daughter (form W7).
Let me know about the joint return to confirm if thats an option, thank you.
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Yes, that is an option. You can always select the option to Mail and Print instead of e-file.
