Questions about joint taxes

[ColombianoGringo 0]

I am hoping to file my 2007 tax return and include my wife as joint filer. I understand that I have to send in a W-7 to request her ITIN(taxpayer ID Number). The form says that she has to sign it unless I have a power of attorney in English. I have sent her a prefilled PDF of the form which she is printing, signing and sending to me via express mail.

Beyond that, I have a few questions.

Does she need to sign the 1040 as well?

Can I file electronically with a program like TurboTax?

Thanks,

JC

[payxibka 10,047]

I would think that an appropriately worded power of attorney could give you the authority to sign the return as well...

I doubt you could file electronically because the W-7 needs to be attached to the return...

Edited March 28, 2008 by fwaguy

[pushbrk 13,058]

I would think that an appropriately worded power of attorney could give you the authority to sign the return as well...

I doubt you could file electronically because the W-7 needs to be attached to the return...

Right but the biggest obstacle in the ITIN scenario is getting a notarized copy of her passport. Have you addressed how you're going to accomplish that?

[ColombianoGringo 0]

She is taking care of that right now. Would a foreign notary be able to do this?

[payxibka 10,047]

She is taking care of that right now. Would a foreign notary be able to do this?

The IRS has specific notorial requirements in this situation... read the instructions and it will tell you what must be done in a foreign country....

[ColombianoGringo 0]

I am actually on the phone with the IRS right now, but as is often the case with phone reps. I seem to know more about the subject than they do. Every time I ask a question, the guy says he has to go ask and puts me on hold for ten minutes.

[payxibka 10,047]

I am actually on the phone with the IRS right now, but as is often the case with phone reps. I seem to know more about the subject than they do. Every time I ask a question, the guy says he has to go ask and puts me on hold for ten minutes.

IRS help line is one of the worst places to get tax advice and or information

[ColombianoGringo 0]

I see that it states that an apostille must accompany the copy. However, it is not too specific about how it should be worded. Something tells me that I may end up needing to wait and file an amended return once she is here.

[pushbrk 13,058]

I see that it states that an apostille must accompany the copy. However, it is not too specific about how it should be worded. Something tells me that I may end up needing to wait and file an amended return once she is here.

That's what we did. I wasn't about to mail passports back and forth from China. Too hard to replace.

[payxibka 10,047]

I see that it states that an apostille must accompany the copy. However, it is not too specific about how it should be worded. Something tells me that I may end up needing to wait and file an amended return once she is here.

I would extend first, then file MFS if need be and then amend and file MFJ later on if you are able.

[Nita&Assaad 0]

I am hoping to file my 2007 tax return and include my wife as joint filer. I understand that I have to send in a W-7 to request her ITIN(taxpayer ID Number). The form says that she has to sign it unless I have a power of attorney in English. I have sent her a prefilled PDF of the form which she is printing, signing and sending to me via express mail.

Beyond that, I have a few questions.

Does she need to sign the 1040 as well?

Can I file electronically with a program like TurboTax?

Thanks,

JC

Hello Colombiano.... I filed ltaxes for year 2006 with my husband and yes your wife will need to sign both, I actually called and an accountant for those questions and he told me that. Also you will need to get a copy of her Passport Notarized by the US Embassy in her country. You can try an ID but that wasn't enough for us, and it took longer. Also keep in mind that it will take about 2-3 months to get your wife's ITIN number. In my case the IRS agent called my husband in Lebanon, talked to him and asked him questions, while I was on the phone. We finally got his ITIN number in September of last year. Mind you I send in the request early February 2007. Good luck with that!

Nita

[Nita&Assaad 0]

I see that it states that an apostille must accompany the copy. However, it is not too specific about how it should be worded. Something tells me that I may end up needing to wait and file an amended return once she is here.

You don't need an Apostille, just tell your wife to go to the US Embassy with a copy of the w-7 and have the page with all her details on it Notarized by them. The IRS will accept that!

Hope this helps

Nita

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Well. She doesn't live in Bogota, which is the only city that has a US embassy/consulate. As far as apostilles go, I think she would have to have that done at the Ministry of Foreign Relations, which is also in Bogota. It seems like the best thing is just to file as Single for now. If I file, married filing separately, they will eat my lunch on the taxes.

[payxibka 10,047]

Well. She doesn't live in Bogota, which is the only city that has a US embassy/consulate. As far as apostilles go, I think she would have to have that done at the Ministry of Foreign Relations, which is also in Bogota. It seems like the best thing is just to file as Single for now. If I file, married filing separately, they will eat my lunch on the taxes.

You are married... Single is not technically an option for you.... BTW, have you looked at the differences? Married separately and single use almost exactly the same rates... they are lockstep until $65K of taxable and at $100K of taxable income the tax diference between the two is less $500.

Remember when you sign the 1040... There is this little caveat: Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are true, correct, and complete.

Edited March 28, 2008 by fwaguy

[pushbrk 13,058]

Well. She doesn't live in Bogota, which is the only city that has a US embassy/consulate. As far as apostilles go, I think she would have to have that done at the Ministry of Foreign Relations, which is also in Bogota. It seems like the best thing is just to file as Single for now. If I file, married filing separately, they will eat my lunch on the taxes.

You are married... Single is not technically an option for you.... BTW, have you looked at the differences? Married separately and single use almost exactly the same rates... they are lockstep until $65K of taxable and at $100K of taxable income the tax diference between the two is less $500.

Remember when you sign the 1040... There is this little caveat: Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are true, correct, and complete.

Ultimately, filing as single would be incorrect but the IRS doesn't hunt people down and jail them or assess penalties for paying too much in taxes. The error can simply be corrected by filing an amended return after your wife arrives. That's what we did with absolutely no problem. Further, I used the early refund to finance my second trip to China. Married filing separately requires a tax ID number for the wife too, doesn't it?