W-7 problems

[TedM 9]

I filed a W-7 for my wife for my 2011 tax return. She is in the Philippines, which is not a signatory of the Hague Convention, so an apostille is not possible. We had DFA certify her passport copy, following their standards of the 1963 Vienna Convention. (DFA certification involves a four-step process, ending with their certification document, the so-called "red ribbon" certification, attached.)

I got an initial "need more information" letter from the IRS saying my document was not accepted.

I'm just curious if anyone else has run into problems with the IRS and these types of documents (particularly anyone from the Philippines). Of course the ITIN 800 number reps are useless, unable to tell me what exactly was wrong the documents, other than "it needs to be notarized". The CP566 letter is even more vague.

Has anyone else run into reviewers just being incompetent? An 800 number service rep just told me to write a letter explaining how DFA in the Philippines certifies passport copies, which I did. But I'm almost resigned at this point they're just going to reject it.

[ChetT 9]

I had the same problem. Sent original passport and problem solved, within 2 weeks I got ITIN # and passport back.

[TedM 9]

I had the same problem. Sent original passport and problem solved, within 2 weeks I got ITIN # and passport back.

Yikes. There is no way she will send in her passport.

[JlovesL 0]

i had problems getting an ITIN as well, what i did was send in her

birth certificate and voters ID card and marriage certificate

and they approved it. but then again i dont know if you guys have

a voters card.

[navchusu11 5]

I filed a W-7 for my wife for my 2011 tax return. She is in the Philippines, which is not a signatory of the Hague Convention, so an apostille is not possible. We had DFA certify her passport copy, following their standards of the 1963 Vienna Convention. (DFA certification involves a four-step process, ending with their certification document, the so-called "red ribbon" certification, attached.)

I got an initial "need more information" letter from the IRS saying my document was not accepted.

I'm just curious if anyone else has run into problems with the IRS and these types of documents (particularly anyone from the Philippines). Of course the ITIN 800 number reps are useless, unable to tell me what exactly was wrong the documents, other than "it needs to be notarized". The CP566 letter is even more vague.

Has anyone else run into reviewers just being incompetent? An 800 number service rep just told me to write a letter explaining how DFA in the Philippines certifies passport copies, which I did. But I'm almost resigned at this point they're just going to reject it.

I also tried to get ITIN for my wife. as you said, my country is not list on Hague Convention and I did not have here passport with me, so got certified copy from Nepal. I submitted the application but got rejected and asked me to resubmit with proper proof.

If you submit orignial Passport, it will be good enough and It should be done within less than month. I even noticed W-7 process done within 2 weeks if you provide proper proof.

I drop the idea to pursue ITIN at this time. Any way we have to put spouse's name even we file tax returned as Married filing single.

If you do have your spouse Passport with you and still want to try to get ITIN, you can visit your local IRS office with W-2 and your 1040, they will process your W-7....Unfortunately, I learned this after my personal experience..lol....

http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html

:thumbs:

[sulhaq 60]

I am having the exact same issue and I do not want to send the original passport in. I have a question for anyone who can answer please.

I notice that on the rejection notice they say that all documents need to be notarized by a U.S. Notary public OR a foreign notary public + apostille. So....won't it be enough if we get her passport notarized from a U.S. Notary public and send that in? Is that enough or do we need apostille even with U.S. notarization?

[TedM 9]

I am having the exact same issue and I do not want to send the original passport in. I have a question for anyone who can answer please.

I notice that on the rejection notice they say that all documents need to be notarized by a U.S. Notary public OR a foreign notary public + apostille. So....won't it be enough if we get her passport notarized from a U.S. Notary public and send that in? Is that enough or do we need apostille even with U.S. notarization?

If you can get a U.S. notary in Pakistan, go for it. That would be probably be very difficult to impossible (though I know nothing about availability in Pakistan per se). Most U.S. embassies don't do this type of notary anymore, though that might be a place to check.

Pakistan is not a signatory of the Hague Convention (that I know of), so that's not an option.

The IRS says they allow for certification from the issuing agency, but by the comments on this board, that appears to be hit and miss. It may be your only option though (like me and my wife).

I also tried to get ITIN for my wife. as you said, my country is not list on Hague Convention and I did not have here passport with me, so got certified copy from Nepal. I submitted the application but got rejected and asked me to resubmit with proper proof.

If you submit orignial Passport, it will be good enough and It should be done within less than month. I even noticed W-7 process done within 2 weeks if you provide proper proof.

I drop the idea to pursue ITIN at this time. Any way we have to put spouse's name even we file tax returned as Married filing single.

If you do have your spouse Passport with you and still want to try to get ITIN, you can visit your local IRS office with W-2 and your 1040, they will process your W-7....Unfortunately, I learned this after my personal experience..lol....

http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html

:thumbs:

Well this is extremely irritating then. For countries not a signatory of the Hague Convention, and by their own rules allowing certification by the issuing agency, to reject these types of documents seems incompetent to me.

IRS customer service seemed equally puzzled and told me to write a letter in response explaining how the Philippines certifies documents/copies. You would think the ITIN unit would already know this.

[sulhaq 60]

If you can get a U.S. notary in Pakistan, go for it. That would be probably be very difficult to impossible (though I know nothing about availability in Pakistan per se). Most U.S. embassies don't do this type of notary anymore, though that might be a place to check.

Pakistan is not a signatory of the Hague Convention (that I know of), so that's not an option.

The IRS says they allow for certification from the issuing agency, but by the comments on this board, that appears to be hit and miss. It may be your only option though (like me and my wife).

Hey. Thanks for your response. My wife is coming in about 10 days time. Once she's here, I'm going to get the passport photocopy notarized from a U.S. Notary Public in the United States and then send that in. Do you think that is enough? This is what I was actually trying to ask.

[TedM 9]

Hey. Thanks for your response. My wife is coming in about 10 days time. Once she's here, I'm going to get the passport photocopy notarized from a U.S. Notary Public in the United States and then send that in. Do you think that is enough? This is what I was actually trying to ask.

Ah, I just looked at your timeline. Your IR-1/CR-1 was approved! You don't need to apply for an ITIN. Upon arrival, your wife can simply apply for a Social Security Number normally and use that. And if you checked "appllying for SSN" on your visa paperwork, that request should be part of the process already.

[Married_Noni 2]

What 800 number did you use to talk to a rep regarding the application? I tried calling the one listed on their website but not getting an operator.

I filed a W-7 for my wife for my 2011 tax return. She is in the Philippines, which is not a signatory of the Hague Convention, so an apostille is not possible. We had DFA certify her passport copy, following their standards of the 1963 Vienna Convention. (DFA certification involves a four-step process, ending with their certification document, the so-called "red ribbon" certification, attached.)

I got an initial "need more information" letter from the IRS saying my document was not accepted.

I'm just curious if anyone else has run into problems with the IRS and these types of documents (particularly anyone from the Philippines). Of course the ITIN 800 number reps are useless, unable to tell me what exactly was wrong the documents, other than "it needs to be notarized". The CP566 letter is even more vague.

Has anyone else run into reviewers just being incompetent? An 800 number service rep just told me to write a letter explaining how DFA in the Philippines certifies passport copies, which I did. But I'm almost resigned at this point they're just going to reject it.

[TedM 9]

What 800 number did you use to talk to a rep regarding the application? I tried calling the one listed on their website but not getting an operator.

The ITIN unit is at 800-908-9982, though they are no more or less helpful than the regular IRS operators.

[navchusu11 5]

IRS customer service seemed equally puzzled and told me to write a letter in response explaining how the Philippines certifies documents/copies. You would think the ITIN unit would already know this.

At least, I had a great experience with field officer at Local IRS office (Boston). He told me that he could process my wife's W-7 if I would have her original passport. Officer was telling me that he could make a copy of her passport and verified himself then forwarded the process to ITIN office TX along with other required documents. I did not go through the process. So, can’t give you the word it will work or not....but I am positive it should......

Edited April 26, 2012 by navchusu11

[Darnell 8,478]

Hey. Thanks for your response. My wife is coming in about 10 days time. Once she's here, I'm going to get the passport photocopy notarized from a U.S. Notary Public in the United States and then send that in. Do you think that is enough? This is what I was actually trying to ask.

Yes, that will work.

But, the need for it will disappear once she's immigrated into the USA, as she is then eligible for the SSN.

Edited April 27, 2012 by Darnell

[Darnell 8,478]

more cool stuff.

after 2 weeks past the POE date, suggest she get to SSA office and file the SSN application. Make certain they can find her in the SAVE database on her VISA name.

Then come back NEXT day, the clerk can give you the number (card still arrives via postal mail 4 to 20 days later) .

Then file yer taxes, a paper return. Forget the ITIN.