Has ANYONE filed single on 2011 tax returns and gone to the interview?

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

The supreme court actually ruled that in tax issues, it's a valid defense to claim ignorance due to the complexity of US tax laws. It's actually one of the only areas of the law where claiming ignorance is considered viable defense.

Without having much knowledge about this matter, I'd like to add my personal opinion that if the supreme court claims that US tax laws are too complex and confusing for normal people to be expected to file correctly, the embassy should accept the "i really didn't know" excuse.

I worked in the US last year (legally) and my wife's tax lady who filed our taxes filed us married filing jointly.

That being said, I don't know if that was the correct thing to do, but we are married afterall..

Do you have a citation for this Supreme Court case you are talking about?

[Fight for Love 98]

my sister did because her husband is away his currently in the navy. since she file for the petition they never file married filing jointly.

Edited March 29, 2012 by takis

[milopnkr 0]

I just did my taxes and listed 'married-filing separately'. In the section that requests my husband's SSN, I put N/A-foreign national. Worked for me last year. Can't see a problem with it this year.

[lizka 3]

I just did my taxes and listed 'married-filing separately'. In the section that requests my husband's SSN, I put N/A-foreign national. Worked for me last year. Can't see a problem with it this year.

awesome thank you so much

[TraciB 0]

I worried and worried over this, I just filed taxes and this is how I did it:

I filed married filing jointly, we filled out a W-7 for an ITIN Number, my husband's income was listed on the return but then it was excluded for not being in the USA. We sent the W7 that was filled out by my husband to the tax return and sent it to Austin, Texas.

I haven't received my refund yet so not sure it worked but it made sense to me and a professional did it.

Good Luck!

[Love's JAA 100]

I worried and worried over this, I just filed taxes and this is how I did it:

I filed married filing jointly, we filled out a W-7 for an ITIN Number, my husband's income was listed on the return but then it was excluded for not being in the USA. We sent the W7 that was filled out by my husband to the tax return and sent it to Austin, Texas.

I haven't received my refund yet so not sure it worked but it made sense to me and a professional did it.

Good Luck!

If you file a joint return, you are supposed to include your worldwide income, where ever it was earned.

[TraciB 0]

If you file a joint return, you are supposed to include your worldwide income, where ever it was earned.

And I did, but then it was excluded, but it still lists on the return.

[lizka 3]

And I did, but then it was excluded, but it still lists on the return.

yeah i filed single and got my return, so i have to ammend to MFS since my husbands income is not relevant nor do we want to pay double taxes on his earnings in spain. i will have to pay back uncle sam since i'm married no more deductions for my student loans,

[Sandra G. 5,048]

Check it out what IRS says about that. Single- Your filing status is single if, on the last day of the year, you are unmarried or legally separated from your spouse under a divorce or separate maintenance decree, and you do not qualify for another filing status..."

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p17/ch02.html

Lizka you have a few options.Your marital status on the last day of the tax year determines your status for the entire year, then you can only file as single if you are unmarried or considered unmarried for the entire year. You are considered unmarried for purposes of head of household if you lived apart from your spouse for the last 6 months of the tax year.You can file as married filling joint if you were married at the end of the tax year,whether or not you’re living together, and you have the option to treat your wife non resident as a US resident, but both of you will be taxed on worldwide income.

Suerte.

Edited March 30, 2012 by sandranj

[Julie y Pat 67]

Calling the IRS for tax advice is like calling USCIS for immigration advice

[TraciB 0]

Calling the IRS for tax advice is like calling USCIS for immigration advice

In other words...worthless? That's been my experience with both!

[lizka 3]

In other words...worthless? That's been my experience with both!

honestly just use the website, i think that if your spouse is not here nor has ever lived in the us, you should file married filing separately, it's the easiest way to go, no ITIN no nothin, i should have done that from the very beginning.

[Trina & Raja 2]

I had the same question, but then I asked the IRS Tax specialist and the TurboTax Tax specialist and both suggested that I file as Married but filing Separately. You will not be able to eFile the Federal tax so you will have to print them out and write "Alien" in the SSN column for your spouse.

My Tax return went through and I got the return. I am no expert, but to be on the safe side, I would suggest filing an adjustment.

[Akwunomy 4]

You will be fine filing single even married and the spouse is abroad it doesn't matter because my wife file single after our marriage and i still use it to the embassy no problem.

[karalynn1971 26]

I filed Head of Household. I followed the IRS, and said he is non-resident alien, never been here, no income. Per the IRS, I was fine filing head of household. However, I do have children I claim as dependents. Donno if that makes a difference. And from what I understand, Head of Household is not necessarily filing single. I would not have checked the single box. Go online, or talk to the irs. We can all give you advice, but that is all it is. Ask a professional.