visa petition and filing taxes

[jigshafel 0]

1) got married overseas in 2006 to a non-resident alien

2) wife is still overseas, I'm in the US

I'm having trouble deciding whether to file my 2006 income tax return as married or single. i talked to an IRS rep. and based on what he said, it looks like it's quite difficult to request for a tax id number for my wife as it involves numerous forms of ids whose copies need to be notarized at the US embassy.

My question is this: If i file as a single for my tax return, would it affect my petition during any point when the US gov't asks for my tax returns and sees that I filed as single instead of married?

Any advice would be helpful.

[payxibka 10,045]

1) got married overseas in 2006 to a non-resident alien

2) wife is still overseas, I'm in the US

I'm having trouble deciding whether to file my 2006 income tax return as married or single. i talked to an IRS rep. and based on what he said, it looks like it's quite difficult to request for a tax id number for my wife as it involves numerous forms of ids whose copies need to be notarized at the US embassy.

My question is this: If i file as a single for my tax return, would it affect my petition during any point when the US gov't asks for my tax returns and sees that I filed as single instead of married?

Any advice would be helpful.

You are married... how do you expect to file single? You would file married filing separate or head of household (if you have another qualifying person in the house).

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I was married 2/2005 in Morocco, then left him there. 2/2006, I walked into an IRS office with a copy of my husband's passport and the form requesting an ITN so I could file married, filing jointly. The agent never even looked at the passport copy, and filed for the ITN for me. I got the number during a second visit to the IRS office, then filed 2005 taxes, married, filing jointly. Was not a big deal for us. I'll bet lots could do the same.

[jigshafel 0]

1) got married overseas in 2006 to a non-resident alien

2) wife is still overseas, I'm in the US

I'm having trouble deciding whether to file my 2006 income tax return as married or single. i talked to an IRS rep. and based on what he said, it looks like it's quite difficult to request for a tax id number for my wife as it involves numerous forms of ids whose copies need to be notarized at the US embassy.

My question is this: If i file as a single for my tax return, would it affect my petition during any point when the US gov't asks for my tax returns and sees that I filed as single instead of married?

Any advice would be helpful.

You are married... how do you expect to file single? You would file married filing separate or head of household (if you have another qualifying person in the house).

IRS rep said i can file as single for tax purposes. head of household is not an option. married filing separately also requires that i provide SSN/ITIN of my wife

[payxibka 10,045]

1) got married overseas in 2006 to a non-resident alien

2) wife is still overseas, I'm in the US

I'm having trouble deciding whether to file my 2006 income tax return as married or single. i talked to an IRS rep. and based on what he said, it looks like it's quite difficult to request for a tax id number for my wife as it involves numerous forms of ids whose copies need to be notarized at the US embassy.

My question is this: If i file as a single for my tax return, would it affect my petition during any point when the US gov't asks for my tax returns and sees that I filed as single instead of married?

Any advice would be helpful.

You are married... how do you expect to file single? You would file married filing separate or head of household (if you have another qualifying person in the house).

IRS rep said i can file as single for tax purposes. head of household is not an option. married filing separately also requires that i provide SSN/ITIN of my wife

Trust me when I say you spoke to the IRS mis-information line.....

[kitkat1 5]

You cannot file as single when you are married. You can file as married filing separately.

Gettingn ITN for her would not be difficult and does not require notarizing at the embassy. Follow the instructions on the IRS site:

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,...7,00.html#apply

How do I apply for an ITIN?

Use the January 2007 revision of Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to apply. Attach a valid federal income tax return unless you qualify for an exception, and include your original or certified proof of identity documents

Edited February 3, 2007 by kitkat1

[m&n 0]

Do you only need an ITIN number if you file married, joint......or do you also need one if you file married, separately?

You cannot file as single when you are married. You can file as married filing separately.

Gettingn ITN for her would not be difficult and does not require notarizing at the embassy. Follow the instructions on the IRS site:

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,...7,00.html#apply

How do I apply for an ITIN?

Use the January 2007 revision of Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to apply. Attach a valid federal income tax return unless you qualify for an exception, and include your original or certified proof of identity documents

[payxibka 10,045]

Do you only need an ITIN number if you file married, joint......or do you also need one if you file married, separately?

From the instructions for form 1040:

If your spouse is a nonresident alien and you file a joint or separate return, your spouse must have either an SSN or an ITIN

[m&n 0]

thank you very much for your reply.

Do you only need an ITIN number if you file married, joint......or do you also need one if you file married, separately?

From the instructions for form 1040:

If your spouse is a nonresident alien and you file a joint or separate return, your spouse must have either an SSN or an ITIN

[beameup 0]

You cannot file as single when you are married. You can file as married filing separately.

Gettingn ITN for her would not be difficult and does not require notarizing at the embassy. Follow the instructions on the IRS site:

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,...7,00.html#apply

How do I apply for an ITIN?

Use the January 2007 revision of Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to apply. Attach a valid federal income tax return unless you qualify for an exception, and include your original or certified proof of identity documents

I sent in the W-7 but without the IRS 1040 - it took 6 months to get a response (negative) an to get the "original documents" returned.

Here is the site where W-7's can be accepted overseas in person: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96304,00.html

Edited February 3, 2007 by beameup

[alohaspirit 0]

Do you only need an ITIN number if you file married, joint......or do you also need one if you file married, separately?

From the instructions for form 1040:

If your spouse is a nonresident alien and you file a joint or separate return, your spouse must have either an SSN or an ITIN

When I read this instructions on the tax forms, and from the advice from Ray Bacon, I filed as single and then when my wife has her SSN/ITIN, I filed an amended return. It's as simple as that.

[beameup 0]

Do you only need an ITIN number if you file married, joint......or do you also need one if you file married, separately?

From the instructions for form 1040:

If your spouse is a nonresident alien and you file a joint or separate return, your spouse must have either an SSN or an ITIN

When I read this instructions on the tax forms, and from the advice from Ray Bacon, I filed as single and then when my wife has her SSN/ITIN, I filed an amended return. It's as simple as that.

I want to file as married as additional documentation of a marriage when she goes for her visa interview.

[m&n 0]

I am a US citizen, when I file form W-7 for my spouse who is still overseas, should I check box "b" (nonresident alien filing a US tax return) or "e" (spouse of US citizen). I think "e" would be the right option....correct?

[riblet 0]

e makes sense to me, that's what I selected.

I am a US citizen, when I file form W-7 for my spouse who is still overseas, should I check box "b" (nonresident alien filing a US tax return) or "e" (spouse of US citizen). I think "e" would be the right option....correct?

[payxibka 10,045]

When I read this instructions on the tax forms, and from the advice from Ray Bacon, I filed as single and then when my wife has her SSN/ITIN, I filed an amended return. It's as simple as that.

Excuse my ignorance but who is Ray Bacon?