2010 Tax forms

[EAbbas 213]

I know it seems far away but I'm already thinking about how I need to file my taxes this coming year. We were married in Karachi in October so legally we are husband and wife by Karachi standards but does this also mean by US standards? If so...how should I file my taxes...he is still in Karachi awaiting approval from USCIS to be here legally. He probably won't make it prior to April so being a dependant with a SSN prob wont happen ...sooo

Should I still file single and head of household with my children?

OR

File Married filing separately since jointly is non existent for us right now?

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks,

Ameena Adil

[lori7734 6]

I know it seems far away but I'm already thinking about how I need to file my taxes this coming year. We were married in Karachi in October so legally we are husband and wife by Karachi standards but does this also mean by US standards? If so...how should I file my taxes...he is still in Karachi awaiting approval from USCIS to be here legally. He probably won't make it prior to April so being a dependant with a SSN prob wont happen ...sooo

Should I still file single and head of household with my children?

OR

File Married filing separately since jointly is non existent for us right now?

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks,

Ameena Adil

its better to file jointly u can get wats called itin but to be honest its better maybe to file single and amend the taxreturn wen he gets here it may be easier

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Last year I just filed head of household and I amended the return. Still waiting on the extra $650 return though. I sent it in the end of October. The getting an ITIN is a PITA and you have to paper file that way.

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

Last year I just filed head of household and I amended the return. Still waiting on the extra $650 return though. I sent it in the end of October. The getting an ITIN is a PITA and you have to paper file that way.

I agree. My CPA advised me to file head of household with my son and to amend later (we have 3 years to amend without penalty provided you are owed money and do not owe money). The ITIN route is possible but more complicated than it's worth (according to the CPA) and will slow any return you are owed drastically.

[Ribs & Beans 19]

I agree. My CPA advised me to file head of household with my son and to amend later (we have 3 years to amend without penalty provided you are owed money and do not owe money). The ITIN route is possible but more complicated than it's worth (according to the CPA) and will slow any return you are owed drastically.

This is probably a dumb question but...

Can I file "head of household" (and amend later) if I live with a roommate? I don't really know what qualifies one as head of household...

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

This is probably a dumb question but...

Can I file "head of household" (and amend later) if I live with a roommate? I don't really know what qualifies one as head of household...

Probably not unless you provide more than 50% of their total support and can claim them as a dependent. This is normally for single parents with children. If your spouse won't be in the US with a SSN before the 2011 filing deadline would probably be best to just file single and amend later.

Frome the IRS Guidlines for HOH: Head of Household Generally, you may claim head of household filing status on your tax return only if you are unmarried and pay more than 50% of the costs of keeping up a home for yourself and your dependent(s) or other qualifying individuals.

[Ribs & Beans 19]

Probably not unless you provide more than 50% of their total support and can claim them as a dependent. This is normally for single parents with children. If your spouse won't be in the US with a SSN before the 2011 filing deadline would probably be best to just file single and amend later.

Frome the IRS Guidlines for HOH: Head of Household Generally, you may claim head of household filing status on your tax return only if you are unmarried and pay more than 50% of the costs of keeping up a home for yourself and your dependent(s) or other qualifying individuals.

That's what I thought--thanks! I might try to follow Loto's instructions for applying for an ITIN for my husband when I file...but then again, maybe we'll get lucky and get an interview date before April! And I suppose if it's cutting it close, we can always file for an extension...it might be worth it to simplify things (by waiting on our interview--if we'll have one in time--and just using his SSN once he gets here).

Thanks!

[Canadiandggal 49]

That's what I thought--thanks! I might try to follow Loto's instructions for applying for an ITIN for my husband when I file...but then again, maybe we'll get lucky and get an interview date before April! And I suppose if it's cutting it close, we can always file for an extension...it might be worth it to simplify things (by waiting on our interview--if we'll have one in time--and just using his SSN once he gets here).

Thanks!

I did not find doing the ITIN application February of this year to be hard, it was actually quite simple. Although It does suck that they want passport Id. From filing date to date of received direct deposit refund it was 5-8 weeks. We received the ITIN's within 4 weeks and we used the online system to see if our return was processed... here http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html

[Ribs & Beans 19]

I did not find doing the ITIN application February of this year to be hard, it was actually quite simple. Although It does suck that they want passport Id. From filing date to date of received direct deposit refund it was 5-8 weeks. We received the ITIN's within 4 weeks and we used the online system to see if our return was processed... here http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html

Really? That's good to hear! I'd rather not wait/amend. Other than the whole spouse-lacking-an-SSN, my taxes should really be very simple (bc I don't have any money, ha ha!), so I'll probably give it a shot if we don't get an interview in time. Thanks for your input!

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

I did not find doing the ITIN application February of this year to be hard, it was actually quite simple. Although It does suck that they want passport Id. From filing date to date of received direct deposit refund it was 5-8 weeks. We received the ITIN's within 4 weeks and we used the online system to see if our return was processed... here http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html

I am surprised you are able to put your foreign spouse on your bank account. My bank does not allow this without an american ID number (US passport, state DL or state ID) or a passport with a valid entry dated visa.

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

That's what I thought--thanks! I might try to follow Loto's instructions for applying for an ITIN for my husband when I file...but then again, maybe we'll get lucky and get an interview date before April! And I suppose if it's cutting it close, we can always file for an extension...it might be worth it to simplify things (by waiting on our interview--if we'll have one in time--and just using his SSN once he gets here).

Thanks!

It's strictly a personal decision. If you file an extension make sure you will not owe any taxes. If you anticipate owing you must pay the anticipated taxes on or before April 15 or you will be accessed harsh financial penalties. Otherwise, if you are certain the government owes you then you can extend for many, many months. Amending a tax return is really not difficult. Good luck in your decision.

[Ribs & Beans 19]

It's strictly a personal decision. If you file an extension make sure you will not owe any taxes. If you anticipate owing you must pay the anticipated taxes on or before April 15 or you will be accessed harsh financial penalties. Otherwise, if you are certain the government owes you then you can extend for many, many months. Amending a tax return is really not difficult. Good luck in your decision.

Thanks--that's good information to know! I DEFINITELY should not owe anything (I better not, ha ha), but I'm glad I'm learning all of this stuff now rather than finding out at the last minutes. I really just don't want to wait any longer than necessary for my money ;-).

[EAbbas 213]

I did not find doing the ITIN application February of this year to be hard, it was actually quite simple. Although It does suck that they want passport Id. From filing date to date of received direct deposit refund it was 5-8 weeks. We received the ITIN's within 4 weeks and we used the online system to see if our return was processed... here http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html

Im in the process of reading all the irs stuff OMG soo much stuff...It does say that if i Married during the year that he needs ti have itin number and apply as if he were a resident alien...even tho he has no ssn or residency here... I know i can amend later if i file without him...however a question for you...is HIS money considered taxable? He doesnt work for anything US based at all has no ties with US business but it scares me to think that if his income (which isnt much actually in US dollars) can be taxable to US...seems crazy to me but im wondering about what happened with you? Can you share your experience about your spouses income taxed or not taxed?

thanks,

Ameena

[Canadiandggal 49]

Im in the process of reading all the irs stuff OMG soo much stuff...It does say that if i Married during the year that he needs ti have itin number and apply as if he were a resident alien...even tho he has no ssn or residency here... I know i can amend later if i file without him...however a question for you...is HIS money considered taxable? He doesnt work for anything US based at all has no ties with US business but it scares me to think that if his income (which isnt much actually in US dollars) can be taxable to US...seems crazy to me but im wondering about what happened with you? Can you share your experience about your spouses income taxed or not taxed?

thanks,

Ameena

Honestly I cannot remember, He is the US citizen so It was my income you are thinking about and I didn't have a large sum something like 4-7000 dollars so It didnt really affect the tax return BUT He got HUGE return due to file jointly and adding my son as a dependent.

Almost time to do taxes and I can actually use a SSN this time, wont be such a big return this year though.

Good luck.

[EAbbas 213]

Honestly I cannot remember, He is the US citizen so It was my income you are thinking about and I didn't have a large sum something like 4-7000 dollars so It didnt really affect the tax return BUT He got HUGE return due to file jointly and adding my son as a dependent.

Almost time to do taxes and I can actually use a SSN this time, wont be such a big return this year though.

Good luck.

thanks for your quick reply... he has pakistani rupees so idk how that will affect our income...probl not so much but if i can include him and file married joint and get a bigger break cos i have 3 girls then i want to do that good luck!