Filing taxes as married

[hindustani24 7]

Sorry, I didn't understand your original question. If your wife is not in the U.S. then of course she would not have an SSN or A-Number. You would just not put any number for her in the election statement. The declaration is only necessary if you want to file a joint tax return with your wife right now. As I stated in another post you could file a return as Married Filing Separately but you would not be able to claim her as a dependent. Once your wife comes to the U.S. and gets an SSN then you could amend your 2010 tax return to file as Married Filing Jointly. I hope this answers your question.

Thanks for your reply. Yes i am filing a joint tax return with my wife and have collected all the documents but was just wondering about this declaration.

I have another question: W7 goes with your federal tax return form but how about state returns. How do we do those? They also require SS# for spouse.

[Sam_Kay 0]

ok guys so is this definitive answer:

easiest was is - Married Filing Separately - Spose will NOT have to sing ANYTHING and no need for her passport or any other docs. No need for W 7 too. ONLY downside is - highest tax liability

Best way for lowest tax liability - Married Filing Jointly - but will need spose passport or other docs + W7 + her signature ..

Am i correct?

I also have similar question along those lines. My wife never been to the USA and we both got married in canada this nov. I prefer the route of married filing separately. However, IRS still need wife name and identification number. Putting down "NRA" may not help because free tax software need numbers. To get identification number a person need to file W 7 form. What tax software you all are using to bypass identification hurdle? I hope filing separately will not come back to bite me. Any help would be appreciated. thanks.

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

Thanks for your reply. Yes i am filing a joint tax return with my wife and have collected all the documents but was just wondering about this declaration.

I have another question: W7 goes with your federal tax return form but how about state returns. How do we do those? They also require SS# for spouse.

Somebody else will have to help you with this question. I live in Texas and we don't have a state income tax.

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

I also have similar question along those lines. My wife never been to the USA and we both got married in canada this nov. I prefer the route of married filing separately. However, IRS still need wife name and identification number. Putting down "NRA" may not help because free tax software need numbers. To get identification number a person need to file W 7 form. What tax software you all are using to bypass identification hurdle? I hope filing separately will not come back to bite me. Any help would be appreciated. thanks.

Try what Nich-Nick suggested below.

Don't know if it will kick it out of meeting e-file standards. I don't think the IRS would be particularly bothered. Try to carry on to the end and see or put in 000-00-0000.

[dan_ling 6]

I also have similar question along those lines. My wife never been to the USA and we both got married in canada this nov. I prefer the route of married filing separately. However, IRS still need wife name and identification number. Putting down "NRA" may not help because free tax software need numbers. To get identification number a person need to file W 7 form. What tax software you all are using to bypass identification hurdle? I hope filing separately will not come back to bite me. Any help would be appreciated. thanks.

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I used turbo tax for my 2009 filing "Married Filing Seperately" and entered "N/A" for spouses SSN#, I have just sent off the 2009 amendment to "Married Filing Jointly" and will be getting a huge return.

[DannyDangit 0]

My wife's passport is still under her maiden name (I don't think there is enough time for her to get a new one,) so would sending in a copy of her passport with her old last name on it still work as significant proof? I hope somebody knows. Thanks.

[mr2fyre 3]

How do you address interest on a bank account as foreign income.

[mr2fyre 3]

For all the California residents here is a link stating that the Non-resident alien can be treated as a resident similar to the federal rules. (1st page, right column half way down) Kind of strange that they don't list it on the 540 form, but they do list it on the 540NR form, seeing as once it applies you won't be using the 540NR form.

http://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2010/10_540nrlongins.pdf

[xelance 31]

well it also says an exception for married taxpayers who file a joint federal tax return :

You may file separate CA returns if either spouse was A nonresident for the entire year and had no income from California sources during 2010

so....can I file married filing separately for CA and married filing jointly for Federal? Pretty confusing...my wife has no worldwide income to report so I was thinking it would be easier if I just file my taxes and thats it.

Edited February 21, 2011 by xelance

[mr2fyre 3]

Somewhere, that same document or the 540 it says that you have to filed married if you file married on fed. however, it also says that you can do married filing separately even if you filed married filing joint for federal.

Though if you spouse has no income then you will only benefit from filing joint. If you file separately i would assume you would amend it when you get her social security number.

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

How do you address interest on a bank account as foreign income.

I am assuming that the interest was earned by your wife in Taiwan. If you are going to file a joint return with your wife by electing to treat her as a Resident Alien for tax purposes then the interest income from Taiwan should be included on your tax return. The interest income would not qualify to be excludable under the Foreign Earned Income exclusion. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion usually only applies to income for personal services.

[felo391971 4]

This one is really interesting Wend i got marrie back in 08.29.10 i try to change my status from Singel to marry in my job as i read the form is clear in a area that if your Wife is not a US cittizen and in the country you must continue as single . IM calling the IRS tomorrow to verify

[felo391971 4]

Great info . How about this . Your Wife is in another country and cant enter her signature

[mr2fyre 3]

I am assuming that the interest was earned by your wife in Taiwan. If you are going to file a joint return with your wife by electing to treat her as a Resident Alien for tax purposes then the interest income from Taiwan should be included on your tax return. The interest income would not qualify to be excludable under the Foreign Earned Income exclusion. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion usually only applies to income for personal services.

Thank you, I didn't know that it didn't qualify as excludable.

I also saw someone say that you couldn't take the Making work pay credit, however, turbotax is applying the credit. Just wondering if anyone has the actual answer to this?

[xelance 31]

yep...my turbotax is applying the credit as well, great question...I was wondering that myself.