Tax filing requirement for F2 status

[Saika]

Hi,

I am on F2 visa. I arrived USA on August 2018. My husband has been here since 2016. Do I need to file tax for 2018?
If I do, can my husband and I jointly file? Also what forms do I need to submit if I have to file?

Thanks.

[newacct]

Hi,

I am on F2 visa. I arrived USA on August 2018. My husband has been here since 2016. Do I need to file tax for 2018?
If I do, can my husband and I jointly file? Also what forms do I need to submit if I have to file?

Thanks.

If neither of you have been to the US in F or J status before, then your days on F status are exempt from the Substantial Presence Test for the first 5 calendar years. Since you were not present in the US in any other status during the year, you do not pass the Substantial Presence Test, and you guys would both be nonresident aliens for the whole years. Nonresident aliens cannot file jointly, and can only file separately. Nonresident aliens are only taxed on US income. If you do not have US income, you don't need to file.