Filing joint 2008 taxes???

[Old Dominion 26]

Here is the link to the W-7. Note that your husband must sign it, if it is appropriate for him to obtain the ITIN, or designate you as having legal power of attorney.

http://search.irs.gov/web/query.html?col=a...amp;search.y=14

[malaikabab 0]

Is anyone thinking of filing joint taxes for 2008?

My husband is still in Russia but I'm in US.

Do you know what documents I'd need? W7?

Thanks!

When you send your 1040 attach W7 with that. I am going to do it this way and I have to get my wife's copy of passport notarized.

[Nahathai_Ike 0]

Is anyone thinking of filing joint taxes for 2008?

My husband is still in Russia but I'm in US.

Do you know what documents I'd need? W7?

Thanks!

Here is a thread that covered it well:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=109

A few more recent threads:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=172369&hl=

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=171646&hl=

Rin and I married in Thailand in October 2006. She received her visa and arrived in the USA April 2007. I filed my 2006 return in 2007 and filed MFJ. I had to get a copy of her passport (certified/notarized at the US embassy in Bangkok) along with the W-7. Filed the W-7 along with my 1040. They are sent together to an address in Texas, an ITIN is assigned, and then the 1040 is forwarded for processing.

Whether you elect to file MFJ, MFS, or HOH will largely depend on your circumstances. Since Rin had no income, it made sense for us to file MFJ. If you and your husband elect to have him treated as a resident for tax purposes and file MFJ, then his foreign income will be included when you file your taxes (although you will be able to exclude some if not all of it depending on how much he made).

The bad thing about filing with ITIN is that, your spouse is not eligible to get anything on the stimulus package. Only filing with SSN will be eligible and you cannot do any amendment by changing from ITIN to SSN.

My wife is still waiting for consulate interview. As of today, the case has been completed at NVC. So, I expect around 8 weeks to get Package 3, plus another month for consulate interview. I plan to file an extension, rather than going to the ITIN route. I believe that my wife can be in the States before October, 2009. By that time, we should be able to obtain the SSN. Filing with SSN has a lot of benefits. That stimulus package prompts me to think twice on this one. If President Obama decides to do another package next year, ITIN will not be eligible.

However, if your spouse does not want to come to the States and decides to stay in the home country, ITIN is the way to go.

This is just my two-cent opinion. Thanks.

[cp2000 0]

Is anyone thinking of filing joint taxes for 2008?

My husband is still in Russia but I'm in US.

Do you know what documents I'd need? W7?

Thanks!

I filed jointly with my spouse. You should refer to IRS Publication 519, which can be found at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p519.pdf. See page 10, "Nonresident Treated as a Resident." Once you have taken a look at the information, I also recommend calling the general IRS helpline (it's on www.irs.gov) and they will direct you to the specific people who handle tax returns of the nature you will be filing and who would be happy to answer any specific questions you have. Just call soon as I imagine that they will get quite busy the closer it gets toward April 15th.

I would note that you and your spouse must make an affirmative election for the nonUS spouse to be treated as a nonresident alien (just type up a statement using the magic words from the publication on the same page under "How to Make the Election", nothing fancy). Such an election creates tax implications such as your spouse being taxed on his worldwide income and having an obligation to file US tax returns that might not have existed before for your spouse. This election would just be included along with your normal 1040. There is also a different address your 1040 must be sent to which I believe is in the instructions to the W-7.

Several of the commentators have mentioned that filing jointly saved them a lot on their taxes in comparison to filing married, filing separately. Such was true in my situation and would be true for many other couples. However, whether filing "married filing jointly" as opposed to filing "married filing separately" will increase or decrease your tax liability is dependent upon your personal situation. I'm just saying run the numbers and don't take it on faith that it will save you money.

[mayanksanghavi 1]

Is anyone thinking of filing joint taxes for 2008?

My husband is still in Russia but I'm in US.

Do you know what documents I'd need? W7?

Thanks!

Here is a thread that covered it well:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=109

A few more recent threads:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=172369&hl=

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=171646&hl=

Rin and I married in Thailand in October 2006. She received her visa and arrived in the USA April 2007. I filed my 2006 return in 2007 and filed MFJ. I had to get a copy of her passport (certified/notarized at the US embassy in Bangkok) along with the W-7. Filed the W-7 along with my 1040. They are sent together to an address in Texas, an ITIN is assigned, and then the 1040 is forwarded for processing.

Whether you elect to file MFJ, MFS, or HOH will largely depend on your circumstances. Since Rin had no income, it made sense for us to file MFJ. If you and your husband elect to have him treated as a resident for tax purposes and file MFJ, then his foreign income will be included when you file your taxes (although you will be able to exclude some if not all of it depending on how much he made).

The bad thing about filing with ITIN is that, your spouse is not eligible to get anything on the stimulus package. Only filing with SSN will be eligible and you cannot do any amendment by changing from ITIN to SSN.

My wife is still waiting for consulate interview. As of today, the case has been completed at NVC. So, I expect around 8 weeks to get Package 3, plus another month for consulate interview. I plan to file an extension, rather than going to the ITIN route. I believe that my wife can be in the States before October, 2009. By that time, we should be able to obtain the SSN. Filing with SSN has a lot of benefits. That stimulus package prompts me to think twice on this one. If President Obama decides to do another package next year, ITIN will not be eligible.

However, if your spouse does not want to come to the States and decides to stay in the home country, ITIN is the way to go.

This is just my two-cent opinion. Thanks.

Very valid point...thanks for the tip...can i apply for an extension even if i am getting money back from the IRS. if so do u know where i can get a sample form as the form is a little confusing...

Is anyone thinking of filing joint taxes for 2008?

My husband is still in Russia but I'm in US.

Do you know what documents I'd need? W7?

Thanks!

Here is a thread that covered it well:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=109

A few more recent threads:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=172369&hl=

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=171646&hl=

Rin and I married in Thailand in October 2006. She received her visa and arrived in the USA April 2007. I filed my 2006 return in 2007 and filed MFJ. I had to get a copy of her passport (certified/notarized at the US embassy in Bangkok) along with the W-7. Filed the W-7 along with my 1040. They are sent together to an address in Texas, an ITIN is assigned, and then the 1040 is forwarded for processing.

Whether you elect to file MFJ, MFS, or HOH will largely depend on your circumstances. Since Rin had no income, it made sense for us to file MFJ. If you and your husband elect to have him treated as a resident for tax purposes and file MFJ, then his foreign income will be included when you file your taxes (although you will be able to exclude some if not all of it depending on how much he made).

The bad thing about filing with ITIN is that, your spouse is not eligible to get anything on the stimulus package. Only filing with SSN will be eligible and you cannot do any amendment by changing from ITIN to SSN.

My wife is still waiting for consulate interview. As of today, the case has been completed at NVC. So, I expect around 8 weeks to get Package 3, plus another month for consulate interview. I plan to file an extension, rather than going to the ITIN route. I believe that my wife can be in the States before October, 2009. By that time, we should be able to obtain the SSN. Filing with SSN has a lot of benefits. That stimulus package prompts me to think twice on this one. If President Obama decides to do another package next year, ITIN will not be eligible.

However, if your spouse does not want to come to the States and decides to stay in the home country, ITIN is the way to go.

This is just my two-cent opinion. Thanks.

Very valid point...thanks for the tip...can i apply for an extension even if i am getting money back from the IRS. if so do u know where i can get a sample form as the form is a little confusing...

Is anyone thinking of filing joint taxes for 2008?

My husband is still in Russia but I'm in US.

Do you know what documents I'd need? W7?

Thanks!

Here is a thread that covered it well:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=109

A few more recent threads:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=172369&hl=

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=171646&hl=

Rin and I married in Thailand in October 2006. She received her visa and arrived in the USA April 2007. I filed my 2006 return in 2007 and filed MFJ. I had to get a copy of her passport (certified/notarized at the US embassy in Bangkok) along with the W-7. Filed the W-7 along with my 1040. They are sent together to an address in Texas, an ITIN is assigned, and then the 1040 is forwarded for processing.

Whether you elect to file MFJ, MFS, or HOH will largely depend on your circumstances. Since Rin had no income, it made sense for us to file MFJ. If you and your husband elect to have him treated as a resident for tax purposes and file MFJ, then his foreign income will be included when you file your taxes (although you will be able to exclude some if not all of it depending on how much he made).

The bad thing about filing with ITIN is that, your spouse is not eligible to get anything on the stimulus package. Only filing with SSN will be eligible and you cannot do any amendment by changing from ITIN to SSN.

My wife is still waiting for consulate interview. As of today, the case has been completed at NVC. So, I expect around 8 weeks to get Package 3, plus another month for consulate interview. I plan to file an extension, rather than going to the ITIN route. I believe that my wife can be in the States before October, 2009. By that time, we should be able to obtain the SSN. Filing with SSN has a lot of benefits. That stimulus package prompts me to think twice on this one. If President Obama decides to do another package next year, ITIN will not be eligible.

However, if your spouse does not want to come to the States and decides to stay in the home country, ITIN is the way to go.

This is just my two-cent opinion. Thanks.

Very valid point...thanks for the tip...can i apply for an extension even if i am getting money back from the IRS. if so do u know where i can get a sample form as the form is a little confusing...

[stevai 0]

Is anyone thinking of filing joint taxes for 2008?

My husband is still in Russia but I'm in US.

Do you know what documents I'd need? W7?

Thanks!

Here is a thread that covered it well:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=109

A few more recent threads:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=172369&hl=

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=171646&hl=

Rin and I married in Thailand in October 2006. She received her visa and arrived in the USA April 2007. I filed my 2006 return in 2007 and filed MFJ. I had to get a copy of her passport (certified/notarized at the US embassy in Bangkok) along with the W-7. Filed the W-7 along with my 1040. They are sent together to an address in Texas, an ITIN is assigned, and then the 1040 is forwarded for processing.

Whether you elect to file MFJ, MFS, or HOH will largely depend on your circumstances. Since Rin had no income, it made sense for us to file MFJ. If you and your husband elect to have him treated as a resident for tax purposes and file MFJ, then his foreign income will be included when you file your taxes (although you will be able to exclude some if not all of it depending on how much he made).

The bad thing about filing with ITIN is that, your spouse is not eligible to get anything on the stimulus package. Only filing with SSN will be eligible and you cannot do any amendment by changing from ITIN to SSN.

My wife is still waiting for consulate interview. As of today, the case has been completed at NVC. So, I expect around 8 weeks to get Package 3, plus another month for consulate interview. I plan to file an extension, rather than going to the ITIN route. I believe that my wife can be in the States before October, 2009. By that time, we should be able to obtain the SSN. Filing with SSN has a lot of benefits. That stimulus package prompts me to think twice on this one. If President Obama decides to do another package next year, ITIN will not be eligible.

However, if your spouse does not want to come to the States and decides to stay in the home country, ITIN is the way to go.

This is just my two-cent opinion. Thanks.

Doesn't we get the stimulus package with this year's refund? I just work on my tax with my tax software and when you didn't get stimulus last year you might get it this year. My wife is a non resident.

[stevai 0]

Nevermind, after reading form 1040 instruction booklet, I'm not eligible because my wife doesn't have valid SSN and I'm not in the military.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=....html?portlet=7

[Nahathai_Ike 0]

Is anyone thinking of filing joint taxes for 2008?

My husband is still in Russia but I'm in US.

Do you know what documents I'd need? W7?

Thanks!

Here is a thread that covered it well:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=109

A few more recent threads:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=172369&hl=

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=171646&hl=

Rin and I married in Thailand in October 2006. She received her visa and arrived in the USA April 2007. I filed my 2006 return in 2007 and filed MFJ. I had to get a copy of her passport (certified/notarized at the US embassy in Bangkok) along with the W-7. Filed the W-7 along with my 1040. They are sent together to an address in Texas, an ITIN is assigned, and then the 1040 is forwarded for processing.

Whether you elect to file MFJ, MFS, or HOH will largely depend on your circumstances. Since Rin had no income, it made sense for us to file MFJ. If you and your husband elect to have him treated as a resident for tax purposes and file MFJ, then his foreign income will be included when you file your taxes (although you will be able to exclude some if not all of it depending on how much he made).

The bad thing about filing with ITIN is that, your spouse is not eligible to get anything on the stimulus package. Only filing with SSN will be eligible and you cannot do any amendment by changing from ITIN to SSN.

My wife is still waiting for consulate interview. As of today, the case has been completed at NVC. So, I expect around 8 weeks to get Package 3, plus another month for consulate interview. I plan to file an extension, rather than going to the ITIN route. I believe that my wife can be in the States before October, 2009. By that time, we should be able to obtain the SSN. Filing with SSN has a lot of benefits. That stimulus package prompts me to think twice on this one. If President Obama decides to do another package next year, ITIN will not be eligible.

However, if your spouse does not want to come to the States and decides to stay in the home country, ITIN is the way to go.

This is just my two-cent opinion. Thanks.

Doesn't we get the stimulus package with this year's refund? I just work on my tax with my tax software and when you didn't get stimulus last year you might get it this year. My wife is a non resident.

Based on my understanding -

1. I do not know when the stimulus package that President Obama plans to launch will occur. If he would like to do it as soon as possible, he might need to rely on the 2007 filing, because the 2008 filing is due on the 15th of April. Each package might be worth $300 for single or $600 for Married filing joint return. Only SSN filings are eligible for the stimulus package, not ITIN. (The number came from the last Bush's stimulus. I am uncertain regarding Obama's number.)

2. I am 100% sure that ITIN will not be eligible for the stimulus package. The number is starting with 9xx-xx-xxxx.

3. If someone filed with SSN and ITIN, only SSN will get the money from the stimulus package.

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

My situation is based solely on the timing. I realize that my wife wants to come to the States. That's the reason why I am going on the SSN route, even though I am filing an extension. Since I do not owe IRS the money, there should not be any penalty assessed to it. Do not forget to file the extension to the state as well because the deadline might not be the same.

I have to weight between waiting for SSN versus filing with ITIN. I look ahead and feel that SSN is a better choice because my wife will be staying here. So, filing extension is a key, even though I will get a refund. I can wait to double the amount of my stimulus package.

(SSN can be obtained within a month after the spouse's arrival. Allow two weeks for the DHS to register the name into the system. After two weeks, go and apply. The number should be mailed within two weeks timeframe.)

[daboyz 36]

Is anyone thinking of filing joint taxes for 2008?

My husband is still in Russia but I'm in US.

Do you know what documents I'd need? W7?

Thanks!

Here is a thread that covered it well:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=109

A few more recent threads:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=172369&hl=

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=171646&hl=

Rin and I married in Thailand in October 2006. She received her visa and arrived in the USA April 2007. I filed my 2006 return in 2007 and filed MFJ. I had to get a copy of her passport (certified/notarized at the US embassy in Bangkok) along with the W-7. Filed the W-7 along with my 1040. They are sent together to an address in Texas, an ITIN is assigned, and then the 1040 is forwarded for processing.

Whether you elect to file MFJ, MFS, or HOH will largely depend on your circumstances. Since Rin had no income, it made sense for us to file MFJ. If you and your husband elect to have him treated as a resident for tax purposes and file MFJ, then his foreign income will be included when you file your taxes (although you will be able to exclude some if not all of it depending on how much he made).

The bad thing about filing with ITIN is that, your spouse is not eligible to get anything on the stimulus package. Only filing with SSN will be eligible and you cannot do any amendment by changing from ITIN to SSN.

My wife is still waiting for consulate interview. As of today, the case has been completed at NVC. So, I expect around 8 weeks to get Package 3, plus another month for consulate interview. I plan to file an extension, rather than going to the ITIN route. I believe that my wife can be in the States before October, 2009. By that time, we should be able to obtain the SSN. Filing with SSN has a lot of benefits. That stimulus package prompts me to think twice on this one. If President Obama decides to do another package next year, ITIN will not be eligible.

However, if your spouse does not want to come to the States and decides to stay in the home country, ITIN is the way to go.

This is just my two-cent opinion. Thanks.

There is no packet 3 for CR-1/IR-1 in Thailand. Only K visas have packet 3.

[cassi9879 20]

I filed married filing jointly. You obtain a W-7 and the accompanying requirements. Send it all to Austin, TX or take to an IRS office. Since I did this last year, I didn't get the stimulus check. But my tax refund was huge compared to single. And since my husband is here with his SSN now, we will get the rebate this year. There is really no reason to file separately.

Mine appears to be smaller (estimated since I don't have my primary W2 yet) under MFS than single.

[cassi9879 20]

If you plan to use a tax service you can call the office nearest you to have them find out where there's a preparer that specializes in international returns. I don't think anyone that isn't trained would be comfortable to do these types of returns alone. This is my third year doing taxes for a service and I'm not comfortable with mine so once everything's all set I plan to ask one of the ones I know to review my return.

[elkfarmer 4]

Yes, young lady, you file as married and jointly. You fill out a W-7 for ITIN. I am doing it myself. I called the IRS and spoke with them. I too was getting all kind of answers from people and H & R Block. Dependents do not get a SS # until they arrive in USA. But that does not matter in the eyes of the IRS. You can not file electronically. You put the W-7 on top of the return and send it in. When the IRS gets the ITIN, they fill in the number and process the tax return.

[cassi9879 20]

We can't file MFJ. Benny says we'd end up owing a lot of taxes from him being self employed in Germany.

[Loving Neneng 1]

Yes, young lady, you file as married and jointly. You fill out a W-7 for ITIN. I am doing it myself. I called the IRS and spoke with them. I too was getting all kind of answers from people and H & R Block. Dependents do not get a SS # until they arrive in USA. But that does not matter in the eyes of the IRS. You can not file electronically. You put the W-7 on top of the return and send it in. When the IRS gets the ITIN, they fill in the number and process the tax return.

And do you send your form to a different location than normal?? Thanks

[VerGo 0]

Is anyone thinking of filing joint taxes for 2008?

My husband is still in Russia but I'm in US.

Do you know what documents I'd need? W7?

Thanks!

I plan to file married filing separately. My husband has no way of proving any income he has obtained there, I have not even made $2,000 this year so I have no tax liability, getting an extension will not benefit any other than my husband having a SSN. I think filing jointly treating him as a nonresident spouse is a lot of paperwork again and frankly I would like to minimize the paperwork..

I suggest you call the IRS and find out which way is most suitable to your situation. You have many options here, but you can have the IRS determine which is best for you. The man I spoke with spent about an hour on the phone asking me questions and explaining what each one meant. For me, filing separately seems the best. Good luck!