My_question_is: US-specific Subject: Filing Status Expert: taxman at centa.com Date: Thursday February 01, 2007 Time: 12:10 AM -0500 QUESTION: I have a question regarding which filing status to use in filing out my 1040. I am a US citizen who is married to a Canadian citizen and we reside in Canada. I do not work outside the home and have no earned income here. Neither do I have any unearned income in Canada. I do, however, have some interest and dividend income in the US - less than $6,000. When choosing my status, do I file separately since he is not a citizen or resident of US? and if so, what do I put in the area for SSN of spouse? This is the first year I have had significant unearned income in the 3 years I have been here and was not aware that I needed to file if my gross was $3,300 or less. Should I also file for those past years? Thank you for your time. --------------------------------------------- david ingram replies: You can file MFS - Put the name of your spouse in the designated area and put NON-RES ALIEN in the SSN spot. There will not be any tax owing to the US on $6,000.00 However, this income must be converted to Canadian Dollars and taken into account in Canada. You do not necessarily have to file a return (although I would recommend it) but your husband DOES have to use it for the purposes of claiming you as an exemption in Canada. ------------------------------------------ David Ingram's US / Canada Services US / Canada / Mexico tax, Immigration and working Visa Specialists US / Canada Real Estate Specialists My Home office is at: 4466 Prospect Road North Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V7N 3L7 Cell (604) 657-8451 - (604) 980-0321 Fax (604) 980-0325 Calls welcomed from 10 AM to 9 PM 7 days a week Vancouver (LA) time - (please do not fax or phone outside of those hours as this is a home office) email to taxman at centa.com <mailto:taxman at centa.com> www.centa.com <http://www.centa.com/> www.david-ingram.com <http://www.david-ingram.com/> Disclaimer: This question has been answered without detailed information or consultation and is to be regarded only as general comment. 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