Instructions for filing taxes with spouse outside of the country

[Scott and Mhay 57]

You can proceed on Turbo Tax without the SSN IF you are not electronically filing. You simply leave the foreign spouses SSN blank, and it will warn you, but it allows you to carry on without actually entering it.

I sent my papers off yesterday. Just follow the instructions, and use Turbo Tax 2010 - the actual PC DOWNLOADABLE SOFTWARE, not the website version.

Guess that's where I went wrong last year.. Guess there are benefits of buying the software in the store.

[Rebequita 0]

So I guess it's best to file separately, as "married."

My husband is in Peru, and it would be rather tricky to get his signature on TAX ID forms by that time.

Any other suggestions for this situation?

[pushbrk 12,882]

So I guess it's best to file separately, as "married."

My husband is in Peru, and it would be rather tricky to get his signature on TAX ID forms by that time.

Any other suggestions for this situation?

Sure, do what many of us have done and file as single, then amend the return later.

[M&Pooh 12]

Depending on what country you are from.

Not all the countries are signatories of the Hague Convention.

Copies of documents must have an Apostille also.

[tooduhri 0]

It sounds like you would qualify for the Foreign Earned Income exclusion. I would suggest you read the publication in the link below:

Publication 54 - Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad

The Foreign Earned Income exclusion is discussed starting in page 11 of the publication.

Thank you but it seems that i fail the test because I am not a permanent resident yet. Or I guess it does not matter?

[Scott and Mhay 57]

So I guess it's best to file separately, as "married."

My husband is in Peru, and it would be rather tricky to get his signature on TAX ID forms by that time.

Any other suggestions for this situation?

In the publication 17 from the IRS it states that the US spouse can sign for the nonresident spouse providing they have a power of attorney. That would be a lot easier to do than getting their signature on the forms...you could have your spouse fill out, print and sign the w-7...and send you the POA at the same time.

[Delo 0]

Hi Val and Gary,

Does the same conditions applies for USA residents?

I was employed starting from First September 2010.

Regards,

Janis

[Val and Gary 29]

Hi Val and Gary,

Does the same conditions applies for USA residents?

I was employed starting from First September 2010.

Regards,

Janis

Hi Janis,

If you were employed in the USA, then you must have a SSN, so you can file taxes in the normal way.

[Bass 1]

Hello,

Does she have to sign the W-7 in English, or is her native language acceptable?

[Me and my wife 9]

You can proceed on Turbo Tax without the SSN IF you are not electronically filing. You simply leave the foreign spouses SSN blank, and it will warn you, but it allows you to carry on without actually entering it.

I sent my papers off yesterday. Just follow the instructions, and use Turbo Tax 2010 - the actual PC DOWNLOADABLE SOFTWARE, not the website version.

Thanks val and Gary. I have another question. Do i need to include my spouse income that is earned outside the USA? Since it takes 6 weeks to get an ITIn number, can I submit this year tax return for I-864 even though my 1040 has not been accepted by IRS? I have been approved last week. Thanks

[JerryA 1]

Kindly help me out with the following questions I have about filing taxes.

Me US Citizen. Wife Canadian. Married August 2010. I-130 applied for and pending. Wife lived in US part 2010/ did not work in US - otherwise lived and worked in Canada for rest of 2010.

I am filing our US taxes as "Married filing jointly" and claiming wife as exemption. Filling out Form W-7 for her ITIN.

Questions:

1. Do I have to include wife's Canadian income in my US tax return?
   
2. Form W-7: Item 6b - Foreign tax ID no - what do I enter in this section - Canadian SIN?
   

Thank you

[xelance 31]

valandgary, is this the software I should get ? http://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/basic.jsp I dont have turbo tax on my computer

[xelance 31]

one thing that hasnt been mentioned here...how do we deal with the state tax issue? =/ Federal seems to be pretty straightforward, but not sure about the state tax.

[Val and Gary 29]

valandgary, is this the software I should get ? http://turbotax.intu...nload/basic.jsp I dont have turbo tax on my computer

Yes, I used the DELUXE version, but the basic should work unless you have real complex tax issues. It allows you to file married jointly or separately, and when it asks for the SSN, just leave the space blank. It will keep saying error, but you can proceed. You can then print out your completed 1040 for submission with the W7 - or, if filing married filing separately, simply write NRA where the SSN should go.

[Val and Gary 29]

Thanks val and Gary. I have another question. Do i need to include my spouse income that is earned outside the USA? Since it takes 6 weeks to get an ITIn number, can I submit this year tax return for I-864 even though my 1040 has not been accepted by IRS? I have been approved last week. Thanks

I have quoted 2009 tax return on the I 864, as this years will not be processed in time. If you have any doubts, hold off filing until your case gets to NVC. Providing you file before April 17th, complete with W7, you'll be OK.

Edited February 7, 2011 by Val and Gary