26 U.S.C. § 6013
§ 6013. Joint returns of income tax by husband and wife
Explainer
Filing jointly, and what to do when your spouse isn't a US resident
Married couples can file one joint return. Both spouses are then liable for all of the tax. If one spouse is a nonresident, a joint return is only possible if both elect to treat that spouse as a US resident.
In plain English
If you're married at the end of the year, you choose between filing one joint return with your spouse or two separate returns. Section 6013 allows the joint return. For most couples it's the cheaper choice: wider tax brackets, a $32,200 for 2026, and access to credits and deductions that separate filers lose.
The trade-off is responsibility. On a joint return, each spouse is liable for the whole tax, including any tax later found on the other spouse's income.
There's one big exception to who can file jointly: no joint return if either spouse was a at any time during the year. Couples in that situation have two ways in, described below.
Who it touches
Every married couple, and especially couples where one spouse is a recent immigrant, lives abroad, or holds a visa.
The rules
- Married means married on December 31. A spouse who died during the year still counts, and the survivor can usually file jointly for that year.
- Joint and several liability. The IRS can collect the full joint tax from either spouse. If your spouse hid income or claimed false deductions without your knowledge, you can ask for innocent spouse relief (section 6015).
- Separate to joint later is allowed, joint to separate isn't. You can switch from separate returns to a joint return within 3 years of the original due date. Once the deadline has passed, a joint return can't be split.
- What separate filers lose includes the education credits, the student loan interest , usually the childcare , and the new deductions for tips, overtime and seniors, which require a joint return if you're married.
When one spouse is a nonresident:
| Option | How it works | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Section 6013(g) election | Both spouses elect to treat the nonresident spouse as a US resident for the whole year. You file jointly. | The nonresident spouse's worldwide income becomes taxable in the US. The election stays in force for later years until it's ended. |
| Section 6013(h) election | For the year a spouse arrives and becomes a resident, both elect to treat them as resident from January 1. | Usable only once per couple. |
| Married filing separately | The US spouse files alone. The nonresident spouse usually files nothing unless they have US income. | Higher rates and fewer credits for the US spouse. |
| Available to a US spouse with a qualifying child or , because a nonresident spouse is treated as not married for this purpose. | Only with a qualifying person. |
The nonresident spouse needs a or an for a joint return. Without an SSN, apply for an ITIN with Form W-7, attached to the first joint return.
Worked example
Daniel, a US citizen in Ohio, earns $90,000. His wife Ana moved from Brazil in September 2026 on a green card. She earned the equivalent of $20,000 in Brazil before the move.
- Separate returns: Daniel files as married filing separately. His standard deduction is $16,100 and the tax is about $11,000.
- Joint return with the 6013(h) election: Ana is treated as a resident all year, so her $20,000 of Brazilian income is included. The $110,000 of combined income less the $32,200 standard deduction gives about $8,900 of tax, before the foreign tax credit for tax Ana paid in Brazil.
The joint return is cheaper here, even with Ana's foreign income in it.
Watch out for
- The 6013(g) election brings in all of the nonresident spouse's worldwide income, including foreign rental income and investment gains, and it can trigger Form 8938 filing for their foreign assets. The election alone doesn't make them a US person for the , which needs a green card or the .
- A may give some income back to the other country, but you still report it.
- Separating or divorcing? If you're unsure about your spouse's figures, filing separately protects you, and innocent spouse relief has a 2-year window from the IRS's first collection activity.
Draft explainer. Figures checked against IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 and the current text on November 5, 2026. Not yet reviewed by a licensed tax professional.
History
Part of the code since 1954. Last changed November 11, 2003 by the Public Law 108-121.
Every change, newest first (22)
- November 11, 2003Public Law 108-121
- January 23, 2002Public Law 107-134
- July 22, 1998IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998
- July 30, 1996Public Law 104-168
- November 5, 1990Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990
- December 19, 1989Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989
- November 10, 1988Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988
- October 22, 1986Tax Reform Act of 1986
- July 18, 1984Deficit Reduction Act of 1984
- August 5, 1983Public Law 98-67
- January 12, 1983Public Law 97-448
- September 3, 1982Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982
- August 13, 1981Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981
- November 6, 1978Revenue Act of 1978
- October 20, 1976Public Law 94-569
- October 4, 1976Tax Reform Act of 1976
- January 2, 1975Public Law 93-597
- December 10, 1971Public Law 92-178
- January 12, 1971Public Law 91-679
- December 30, 1969Tax Reform Act of 1969
- September 2, 1958Public Law 85-866
- August 16, 1954Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (original text)
The law as written
Current through Public Law 119-102. Amendment notes omitted.
Structure
- (a) Joint returns
- (b) Joint return after filing separate return
- (c) Treatment of joint return after death of either spouse
- (d) Special rules
- [(e) Repealed. Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3201(e)(1), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 740]
- (f) Joint return where individual is in missing status
- (g) Election to treat nonresident alien individual as resident of the United States
- (h) Joint return, etc., for year in which nonresident alien becomes resident of United States
A husband and wife may make a single return jointly of income taxes under subtitle A, even though one of the spouses has neither gross income nor deductions, except as provided below:
no joint return shall be made if either the husband or wife at any time during the taxable year is a nonresident alien;
no joint return shall be made if the husband and wife have different taxable years; except that if such taxable years begin on the same day and end on different days because of the death of either or both, then the joint return may be made with respect to the taxable year of each. The above exception shall not apply if the surviving spouse remarries before the close of his taxable year, nor if the taxable year of either spouse is a fractional part of a year under section 443(a)(1);
in the case of death of one spouse or both spouses the joint return with respect to the decedent may be made only by his executor or administrator; except that in the case of the death of one spouse the joint return may be made by the surviving spouse with respect to both himself and the decedent if no return for the taxable year has been made by the decedent, no executor or administrator has been appointed, and no executor or administrator is appointed before the last day prescribed by law for filing the return of the surviving spouse. If an executor or administrator of the decedent is appointed after the making of the joint return by the surviving spouse, the executor or administrator may disaffirm such joint return by making, within 1 year after the last day prescribed by law for filing the return of the surviving spouse, a separate return for the taxable year of the decedent with respect to which the joint return was made, in which case the return made by the survivor shall constitute his separate return.
Except as provided in paragraph (2), if an individual has filed a separate return for a taxable year for which a joint return could have been made by him and his spouse under subsection (a) and the time prescribed by law for filing the return for such taxable year has expired, such individual and his spouse may nevertheless make a joint return for such taxable year. A joint return filed by the husband and wife under this subsection shall constitute the return of the husband and wife for such taxable year, and all payments, credits, refunds, or other repayments made or allowed with respect to the separate return of either spouse for such taxable year shall be taken into account in determining the extent to which the tax based upon the joint return has been paid. If a joint return is made under this subsection, any election (other than the election to file a separate return) made by either spouse in his separate return for such taxable year with respect to the treatment of any income, deduction, or credit of such spouse shall not be changed in the making of the joint return where such election would have been irrevocable if the joint return had not been made. If a joint return is made under this subsection after the death of either spouse, such return with respect to the decedent can be made only by his executor or administrator.
The election provided for in paragraph (1) may not be made—
after the expiration of 3 years from the last date prescribed by law for filing the return for such taxable year (determined without regard to any extension of time granted to either spouse); or
after there has been mailed to either spouse, with respect to such taxable year, a notice of deficiency under section 6212, if the spouse, as to such notice, files a petition with the Tax Court within the time prescribed in section 6213; or
after either spouse has commenced a suit in any court for the recovery of any part of the tax for such taxable year; or
For purposes of section 6501 (relating to periods of limitations on assessment and collection), and for purposes of section 6651 (relating to delinquent returns), a joint return made under this subsection shall be deemed to have been filed—
Where both spouses filed separate returns prior to making the joint return—on the date the last separate return was filed (but not earlier than the last date prescribed by law for filing the return of either spouse);
Where only one spouse filed a separate return prior to the making of the joint return, and the other spouse had less than the exemption amount of gross income for such taxable year—on the date of the filing of such separate return (but not earlier than the last date prescribed by law for the filing of such separate return); or
Where only one spouse filed a separate return prior to the making of the joint return, and the other spouse had gross income of the exemption amount or more for such taxable year—on the date of the filing of such joint return.
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “exemption amount” has the meaning given to such term by section 151(d). For purposes of clauses (ii) and (iii), if the spouse whose gross income is being compared to the exemption amount is 65 or over, such clauses shall be applied by substituting “the sum of the exemption amount and the additional standard deduction under section 63(c)(2) by reason of section 63(f)(1)(A)” for “the exemption amount”.
For purposes of section 6511, a joint return made under this subsection shall be deemed to have been filed on the last date prescribed by law for filing the return for such taxable year (determined without regard to any extension of time granted to either spouse).
If a joint return is made under this subsection, the periods of limitations provided in sections 6501 and 6502 on the making of assessments and the beginning of levy or a proceeding in court for collection shall with respect to such return include one year immediately after the date of the filing of such joint return (computed without regard to the provisions of paragraph (3)).
For purposes of part II of subchapter A of chapter 68, where the sum of the amounts shown as tax on the separate returns of each spouse is less than the amount shown as tax on the joint return made under this subsection—
such sum shall be treated as the amount shown on the joint return,
any negligence (or disregard of rules or regulations) on either separate return shall be treated as negligence (or such disregard) on the joint return, and
any fraud on either separate return shall be treated as fraud on the joint return.
For purposes of section 7206(1) and (2) and section 7207 (relating to criminal penalties in the case of fraudulent returns) the term “return” includes a separate return filed by a spouse with respect to a taxable year for which a joint return is made under this subsection after the filing of such separate return.
For purposes of sections 15, 443, and 7851(a)(1)(A), where the husband and wife have different taxable years because of the death of either spouse, the joint return shall be treated as if the taxable years of both spouses ended on the date of the closing of the surviving spouse’s taxable year.
For purposes of this section—
the status as husband and wife of two individuals having taxable years beginning on the same day shall be determined—
if both have the same taxable year—as of the close of such year; or
if one dies before the close of the taxable year of the other—as of the time of such death;
an individual who is legally separated from his spouse under a decree of divorce or of separate maintenance shall not be considered as married; and
if a joint return is made, the tax shall be computed on the aggregate income and the liability with respect to the tax shall be joint and several.
For purposes of this section and subtitle A—
If—
an individual is in a missing status (within the meaning of paragraph (3)) as a result of service in a combat zone (as determined for purposes of section 112), and
the spouse of such individual is otherwise entitled to file a joint return for any taxable year which begins on or before the day which is 2 years after the date designated under section 112 as the date of termination of combatant activities in such zone,
then such spouse may elect under subsection (a) to file a joint return for such taxable year. With respect to service in the combat zone designated for purposes of the Vietnam conflict, such election may be made for any taxable year while an individual is in missing status.
If the spouse of an individual described in paragraph (1)(A) elects to file a joint return under subsection (a) for a taxable year, then, until such election is revoked—
such election shall be valid even if such individual died before the beginning of such year, and
except for purposes of section 692 (relating to income taxes of members of the Armed Forces, astronauts, and victims of certain terrorist attacks on death), the income tax liability of such individual, his spouse, and his estate shall be determined as if he were alive throughout the taxable year.
For purposes of this subsection—
An employee (within the meaning of section 5561(2) of title 5 of the United States Code) is in a missing status for any period for which he is entitled to pay and allowances under section 5562 of such title 5.
An election described in this subsection with respect to any taxable year may be made by filing a joint return in accordance with subsection (a) and under such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary. Such an election may be revoked by either spouse on or before the due date (including extensions) for such taxable year, and, in the case of an executor or administrator, may be revoked by disaffirming as provided in the last sentence of subsection (a)(3).
A nonresident alien individual with respect to whom this subsection is in effect for the taxable year shall be treated as a resident of the United States—
for purposes of chapter 1 for all of such taxable year, and
for purposes of chapter 24 (relating to wage withholding) for payments of wages made during such taxable year.
This subsection shall be in effect with respect to any individual who, at the close of the taxable year for which an election under this subsection was made, was a nonresident alien individual married to a citizen or resident of the United States, if both of them made such election to have the benefits of this subsection apply to them.
An election under this subsection shall apply to the taxable year for which made and to all subsequent taxable years until terminated under paragraph (4) or (5); except that any such election shall not apply for any taxable year if neither spouse is a citizen or resident of the United States at any time during such year.
An election under this subsection shall terminate at the earliest of the following times:
If either taxpayer revokes the election, as of the first taxable year for which the last day prescribed by law for filing the return of tax under chapter 1 has not yet occurred.
In the case of the death of either spouse, as of the beginning of the first taxable year of the spouse who survives following the taxable year in which such death occurred; except that if the spouse who survives is a citizen or resident of the United States who is a surviving spouse entitled to the benefits of section 2, the time provided by this subparagraph shall be as of the close of the last taxable year for which such individual is entitled to the benefits of section 2.
In the case of the legal separation of the couple under a decree of divorce or of separate maintenance, as of the beginning of the taxable year in which such legal separation occurs.
At the time provided in paragraph (5).
The Secretary may terminate any election under this subsection for any taxable year if he determines that either spouse has failed—
to keep such books and records,
to grant such access to such books and records, or
to supply such other information,
as may be reasonably necessary to ascertain the amount of liability for taxes under chapter 1 of either spouse for such taxable year.
If any election under this subsection for any two individuals is terminated under paragraph (4) or (5) for any taxable year, such two individuals shall be ineligible to make an election under this subsection for any subsequent taxable year.
If—
any individual is a nonresident alien individual at the beginning of any taxable year but is a resident of the United States at the close of such taxable year,
at the close of such taxable year, such individual is married to a citizen or resident of the United States, and
both individuals elect the benefits of this subsection at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Secretary by regulation,
then the individual referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be treated as a resident of the United States for purposes of chapter 1 for all of such taxable year, and for purposes of chapter 24 (relating to wage withholding) for payments of wages made during such taxable year.
If any election under this subsection applies for any 2 individuals for any taxable year, such 2 individuals shall be ineligible to make an election under this subsection for any subsequent taxable year.