US citizen marries active duty UK citizen - How to handle?

[FEDUKE404]

Never mind.

[Lion]

Yes, MFJ if hubby chooses to report worldwide income. MFS does loose some tax benefits. Marrying a US citizen, hubby should qualify for a SSN. If not, ITIN. An Acceptance Agent can help with that. Dependents can live in the US, Mexico, &/or Canada. Go through each issue one-by-one. Filing status. Then dependency(ies). Start with The Tax Book. You can then delve into authoritative documents, such as the IRC.

[Lion]

You need to interview your clients. Is he widowed or divorced? Are the children minors? Living with mother or someone other than father? Will he be pursuing a citizenship path? Will he have "closer ties" to the UK? Why did you mention Canadian taxes? Have you read the US-UK treaty? What is your client and her fiance trying to accomplish? Are you trying to prepare his taxes also? How will you be filing them MFJ withOUT reporting worldwide income? Do they have any joint bank accounts or investments or plan to purchase a house together? Ask lots of questions about their short-range and long-range plans.

[Maude Lebowski]

I'm so confused. Is the fiance British or Canadian? Or both?

[Lion]

But a UK citizen? With income from Canada? A permanent resident of Canada? Read the US-Canada treaty and the US-UK treaty and anything that exists between Canada and the UK, too! And, the sooner they meet with a US immigration lawyer, the sooner they can make sure that they don't do anything that would upset his dual citizenship plans. Actually, are you saying he's going to be a dual citizen of Canada and the UK? Or, of the UK and the US? Or, of the US and Canada? You need to find out what he intends, so you can give him the tax steps to take. Ask around your local network to get them some recommendations for an immigration lawyer.

[Lion]

Who's the UK citizen in your OP? Have you read the US-Canada treaty? Do you know how they should file to best facilitate their plans for him to seek US citizenship? Or, if there is a way to file that will interfere with that process? You don't have to stick your nose in their legal affairs, but you do need to learn the legal steps he's taking or will take. Just like we need to know whether a new client is married or supports children/parents/anyone or owns a house or is waiting on a K-1 from their deceased parent's estate or...dozens of other life changes that also can change how they file and suggest more questions we need to ask or more topics we need to research. To give your clients time to plan, you need to research now to be their tax advisor.