...yet another tax question

[~Jackie~ 30]

Not sure what status to use......hate to check single cuz I'm not.

I met my husband when he was here on business. We married in March '08 and he returned to Jordan in May, so we did live together here for a few months.

He is not back yet, thus no SS number. (also a k3 so no SS#) ....what filing status am I?

[desert_fox 32]

youre married.....(damn...I was gonna hit on you too)

Jointly file...or see if you can use the special Head of Household staqtus

[payxibka 10,045]

Not sure what status to use......hate to check single cuz I'm not.

I met my husband when he was here on business. We married in March '08 and he returned to Jordan in May, so we did live together here for a few months.

He is not back yet, thus no SS number. (also a k3 so no SS#) ....what filing status am I?

Your filing status is determined based your marital status as of the last day of the tax year... You are married....

If you do not wish to file jointly, you may qualify for HOH if you otherwise have qualified dependants, You final option would be married separate,

Edited January 16, 2009 by payxibka

[YuAndDan 153]

You can file a joint married return.

You can get an ITIN for your spouse.

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc857.html

Moving to work/travel before green-card forum.

[~Jackie~ 30]

Thx alot for all the quick info! So I guess I need a ITIN number for him? How long does it take to get this number?

Jackie

mike.....you made me snort Bebsi

[payxibka 10,045]

Thx alot for all the quick info! So I guess I need a ITIN number for him? How long does it take to get this number?

Jackie

mike.....you made me snort Bebsi

google "Form W-7".... The most difficult will be getting the required info from your spouse... The application form can be attached to your 1040 when you file

Edited January 16, 2009 by payxibka

[YuAndDan 153]

Thx alot for all the quick info! So I guess I need a ITIN number for him? How long does it take to get this number?

Jackie

mike.....you made me snort Bebsi

If you file a W-7 by mail:

It takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks for the IRS to notify you in writing of your ITIN.

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc857.html

[~Jackie~ 30]

Ok, got it! Thx ya'll for helpin out.

Edited January 16, 2009 by just_Jackie

[childress_london 3]

Hey this is great info. I was wondering how I could claim my hubby on my income tax when he's not even here. ;-) Until I get him an ITIN I guess I'll file Married Separately.

[belinda63 3,038]

I want to add an interesting note here as I was just researching this topic at www.irs.gov. I originally thought also that I would file as married and get the deduction and all that, even had him sign the forms before he left (for two months for work purposes), According to the IRS specifically Publication 519, he would have the option of claiming himself either a nonresident alien or a resident alien. Nonresident because he did not live in the US long enough or resident due to his being married to a citizen/resident.

Now for the catch, you can only file married joint if he declares himself a resident, which means ALL his income for the entire year, regardless of where it was earned, is taxed by the US. (how the us would know his real income I am not sure, but why take the chance).

Therefore I will be filing married/separate and he will not have to file here since he had no income.

Anyone with a different insight into this please advise.

Edited January 18, 2009 by belinda63

[marie620 0]

I filed HOH and was instructed to do so by my accountant.

My husband has not been in this country since before we were married, he is not here now, he is not a resident and they feel I would be better filing for HOH instead of jointly or seperate.

[~Jackie~ 30]

After wayyy too much reading I guess I will have to file Married/Separate. I'm not all up for declaring his wages here. Dang I have to pay $250. If I could just check that married/joint box, I would get back $2,000. grrrrrrrrrrrr

thx for the input

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

You have to claim worldwide income...the income the foreign spouse earned outside the US. But you don't have to pay tax on it. You convert it to US dollars and show it as income. You fill out a form 2555 and it basically lets you exclude up to $87,600 worth of income. So you claim the income, exclude it on the Form 2555 and probably end up with all his income taken off. You still get the advantage of filing joint and you get to claim his $600 tax recovery rebate...I forget the exact name of this years tax incentive.