visa petition and filing taxes

[m&n 0]

Riblet, thanks for your response. I feel like I have to ask about everything so as to avoid making any mistakes that could cause a delay.

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?

[riblet 0]

no problem, I understand I'm glad if I can help.

Riblet, thanks for your response. I feel like I have to ask about everything so as to avoid making any mistakes that could cause a delay.

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?

[alohaspirit 0]

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?

He lives in California and he helped alot of people in the immigration area. He is members to various Filipino/American forums.

[beameup 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.

The Authorized Agent for the IRS in the Philippines is:

Jim Boyd

Retiree Activities Office

American Legion building

1925 McArthur Hwy.

Balibago, Angeles City 2009

Philippines

Phone: 045 888-2748 (if calling international: 063 45 888-2748)

FAX: 045 888-5079 'local'

-----------------------------------

She only needs to show them her passport, make a copy of the first page and pay 500 Pesos for the W-7 form.

The completed W-7 must be attached to the IRS 1040 and sent to:

Internal Revenue Service

Austin Service Center

ITIN Operation

P.O. Box 149342

Austin, TX 78714-9342

[Geist 0]

If you make the copy of the passport yourself, you do have to get it notarized. It can either be done at a US embassy or sometimes local notaries are accepted as per the Hague Convention. We're going to get my husband's passport copy notarized at the local magistrate as finland is a signatory of this particular convention No need to make extra visits to the US embassy...

[svasquez 0]

When I was filing my taxes..they said that I could file with my husband, but I had to send his Dominican Republic passport. They also said I had to claim what he made last year even though he has never been to the US. He only made about $2000.

[fonen 0]

So how do you file married filing single when your wife is a non resident living oversees and probably without an SS#. Remember that there is a column for wifes SS# even when you are filing separately.

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).

[Carl & Susan 0]

I'm still a little confused about this, I plan on filing married, filing jointly

am I correct that:

1) My wife (in Uganda) gets a copy of her Ugandan passport notorized at the American Embassy and sends it to me

- can she have a cerified copy made at the Ugandan Immigration office rather than at the American Embassy?

2) I attach the W-7 along with the copy of her passport when I file my taxes, meaning that I leave the space for here ITIN blank.

or can I just bring the W-7 and passport copy to an IRS office and get it on the spot so I have the number when I file my taxes?

Edited March 1, 2007 by Carl & Susan

[nyseness 0]

Hi Carl,

I'm not sure about the first question b/c I brought back my husbands passport w/me so I just made a copy and had it notarize here in the states. When I called the IRS line they told me the TAC office will not be able to give you the # at the spot but will be able to submit it w/a faster processing timeframe. I know every state is different but for IL I was told to put "Applied for ITIN" in the SS# field on the 1040 and once I recv the ITIN # in the mail THEN I can file the IL return. Hope that helps.

Anna

[zyggy 9]

I'm still a little confused about this, I plan on filing married, filing jointly

am I correct that:

1) My wife (in Uganda) gets a copy of her Ugandan passport notorized at the American Embassy and sends it to me

- can she have a cerified copy made at the Ugandan Immigration office rather than at the American Embassy?

2) I attach the W-7 along with the copy of her passport when I file my taxes, meaning that I leave the space for here ITIN blank.

or can I just bring the W-7 and passport copy to an IRS office and get it on the spot so I have the number when I file my taxes?

1) SHe will have to have a copy of her passport page notarized at the US Embassy...

2) Yes... you can also put Applied For in the box as well.

3) The acceptance agent or Notary must see the original document. If you had the original passport, you may be able to go to an acceptance agent with it... Your local IRS office will not give you the number on the spot.. they will merely accept the W-7 application.

Remember.. any one of the Big 4 Accountant Firms will be able to accept your W-7...

Deloitte and Touche, LLP - office in Nairobi

Ernst & Young LLP - office in Kampala

KPMG LLP- office in Kampala

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP - office in Kampala

Edited March 1, 2007 by zyggy

[Carl & Susan 0]

Thanks those answers helped a lot.

[parkpapa 0]

For purposes of filing your state taxes, you should contact your state's revenue department, but what I found in Missouri applied to both my federal and state tax returns.

You can file as single and amend your return later - though this merely moves the "complications" from now until later. You can file married, but filing separately - the downside here is that your return will be much smaller. Or, you can file married on a joint return. To do the joint return for a non-resident spouse, you need two things to go with your return: a W-7 form, and a notarized power of attorney form, signed by your spouse, and specific to your state. The power of attorney must specifically say that you (the US citizen spouse) have the authority to prepare and submit all tax related documents for your non-resident spouse. Of course, such a power of attorney can be essential for other financial matters such as purchasing health care and entering into financial agreements (i.e. loans) if you live in a joint property state.

The power of attorney does not have to be notarized by an American embassy. It only needs to meet the requirements of your state law and the law of your spouse's country.

You submit these two documents with your federal return. The IRS will issue a tax number for your non-resident spouse. In all probability, that number will be sent to your spouse's foreign address. You can then use that number on your state tax return, but just remember to include another copy of your power of attorney form with your state taxes. If you anticipate delays caused by foreign mail delivery, it might be wise to request a filing extension from your state.

[zsun 0]

I did it as married but seperated last year and this year.

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.

[beameup 0]

It's not "quite difficult" and you should do it - IRS just doesn't want to lose revenue.

Contact Jim Boyd: rao_cabr@mozcom.com

Telephone (63) (045) 888-2748

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.

Edited March 2, 2007 by beameup