W-7 Form for taxes

[confusedasheck 21]

Had anybody had an experience with filing a W-7 form to get an ITIN for your wife while she is in Vietnam waiting? The way I understand it is that you cannot file the W-7 form for your wife until you file the tax return for the year that you are eligible to claim her on your taxes. If you file a W-7 form before that, then you will be rejected and have to apply again.

[Dan_P 5]

When I did it, I filled it out at the same time w7 and regular tax forms and brought it to the irs office with the required documents. You can also mail it. Everything is in the w7 instructions.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw7.pdf

[confusedasheck 21]

It says when to apply. My fault for not looking closely enough.

http://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw7/ch01.html#d0e440

When To Apply

Complete and attach Form W-7 when you file the tax return for which the ITIN is needed. However, if you meet one of the exceptions described later under h. Other, complete and submit Form W-7 as soon as possible after you determine you are covered by that exception.

Allow 6 weeks for the IRS to notify you of your ITIN (8 to 10 weeks if you submit documents during peak processing periods (January 15 through April 30) or if you are filing from overseas). If you have not received your ITIN or correspondence at the end of that time, you can call the IRS to find out the status of your application (see Telephone help, earlier).