Hi guys, I am planning to file tax. My wife lives outside US and haven't been here yet. Should I file as married and file separately? Should I leave the SSN section blank and do paper filing because online doesnot allow me to. And also should I put exemption since she has no income, not filing jointly and was not dependent of another taxpayer. Below is what I found in tax filing website.

'Personal exemptions. You usually may claim one exemption for yourself on your tax return. You also can claim one for your spouse if you are married and file a joint return. If you and your spouse file separate returns, you may claim the exemption for your spouse only if he or she had no gross income, is not filing a joint return and was not the dependent of another taxpayer.'

search for ITIN who doesn't have SSN which allows to do Joint return but needs to do paper filing. Go to the IRS site and research for it.

To apply for ITIN your spouse should be here and she need to sign the w-7.
Even married if not living together over 6 month you can file taxes as single. You are married but your spouse does not have itin or ss number therefore you have to provide ss or itin number to file married filing separately.

Your best option is filing as single tax software will guide you through. 

spouse doesn't need to be here. when you do online tax return select paper file at the end and include ITIN application with it (ofcourse print both) and mail it to the IRS WHICH I DID SUCCESSFULLY. it is for federal only. then you will do state once you get the ITIN. you need to it sooner than later coz it takes least a month to get ITIN.

Also like to add some here, you need notarized copy of her passport and your marriage certificate with the form and send it to IRS. I think first you apply for ITIN and then you file tax return. But not sure now a days, because I did this 7 years ago. Anyway, it took me to 2-3 moths to get ITIN for her.
go to Irs.gov and in search box type ITIN or W7. One thing is for sure, you save heck lot of money filing married jointly. Good luck

Joint return with ITIN and a federal election.

डेलिगेट र एजेन्ट ले पनि निबेदन आबेदन गर्न सक्ने रहेछ |  
Under penalties of perjury, I (applicant/delegate/acceptance agent) declare that I have examined this application, including accompanying documentation and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete. 

Thanks guys, I am afraid, if it will be a problem in future since my wife have never been US. I am not sure if I can joint tax returns.

If you are LEGALLY married and even if your wife has never touched the US soil, still you CAN file Married filing joint thru ITIN.
Married filing joint saves handsome amount of money if you have made 50K+, It's up to you whatever way you wanna go.
If I were you, I would investigate/research more, Google, call IRS.... It's not only about getting more money, it's find out exploring legal way/right way. Good Luck

Do you get more refund if you file as a head of household or married file jointly? My spouse do not have SSN or ITIN. Is it better to apply for ITIN, wait and file married jointly? Can we receive the ITIN over the phone sooner than wait in the mail? What kind of documents do you need for ITIN? Do you need to have legal status to receive ITIN?
Will appreciate the advice.

unless you have someone to support you cannot file head of household. meaning single person does not qualify unless they are paying child support/alimony or some one to support etc.

आज भोलि पुस्तकालय देखि हुलाक कार्यालयमा कर सम्बधि सामाग्री थुपारिदिएको छ | १०४० Instruction बुक ल्याएर एक सरो हेराइ गर्दा पछि आफुले ओन्लाइन नै tax file गरे पनि अलिक सजिलो हुनेछ |

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